Sydney Swans trade star defender to North Melbourne
Callum Godde |
The biggest name left on the AFL trade board has tumbled, with Sydney agreeing to move Nick Blakey to North Melbourne.
On the penultimate day of the trade period, the Swans offloaded Blakey, draft pick No.52 and their 2028 second-round selection in exchange for a glut of picks.
The Kangaroos traded picks No.6 and No.47, a 2027 second-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick to get the deal done.
Blakey had five years remaining on his Swans deal but requested a trade amid a fracturing of his relationship with the club.
The 26-year-old star met with Geelong, St Kilda and Gold Coast but had his head turned by North’s reported eight-year offer worth more than $11 million.
The dashing half-back’s father John Blakey played 224 games for North Melbourne, including their 1996 and 1999 premierships.
Blakey was one of five Sydney players who served a club-imposed ban through the AFL finals for breaching the Swans’ behavioural standards at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne.
The players’ punishment was separate to an ongoing Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the hotel.
No charges have been laid, and AAP is not suggesting any wrongdoing.
North Melbourne have also been in talks for Nick Murray after the young Adelaide defender requested a trade to Arden Street.
The trade period closes on Wednesday night.
AAP