Personally, if I was playing I'd hate wearing a black armband. Bloody thing would be all sticky and annoying (not to mention how it would constrict my bulging biceps ). If I was an AFL player I'd probably opt not to wear one and pass on my condolences in private. But then, I'm a little bit obsessive-compulsive. It wouldn't surprise me if some players are like that though, especially given how superstitious some are.

Not that I think that would be why Dempster/Hall/Vesz/Barlow/any other ex Swans didn't wear one. Probably just didn't occur to them.