Sydney Swans defender Nick Blakey has apologised over the Pullman Hotel incident as he is traded to North Melbourne in one of the biggest deals of the AFL trade period.
In a statement, Blakey said: ‘I want to say that I’m sorry for the events that led to up to my exit from Sydney. I know I have to win back the trust of the broader community, football and otherwise.
‘Now I have the opportunity to move forward and I want to thank North Melbourne for helping me find a fresh start.’
The Kangaroos and Swans reached an agreement on Tuesday morning, ending uncertainty over the All-Australian defender’s future despite him having five years remaining on his Sydney contract.
North Melbourne reportedly offered the speedster an eight-year deal worth more than $11million to secure his services.
The move comes after Blakey was reportedly left disgruntled by the fallout from the hotel incident, which saw him miss Sydney’s finals campaign.
Nick Blakey has reportedly been offered a deal worth close to $12million to leave the Sydney Swans and go to North Melbourne (pictured with partner Australian sprinter Ella Connolly)
Blakey is one of five players that served a club-imposed ban during the finals over an incident at a hotel in Melbourne
Blakey (right) with James Jordon and Isaac Heeney
North paid a hefty price to prise him away, handing Sydney picks six and 47 in this year’s draft, a 2027 second-round selection and its first- and second-round picks in 2028.
The Kangaroos received Blakey, pick 52 and Sydney’s 2028 second-round selection in return.
The deal also brings Blakey to the club where his father John became a premiership hero.
John played 224 of his 359 AFL games for North Melbourne and was part of the Kangaroos’ 1996 and 1999 premiership teams.
Blakey previously passed up the chance to follow his father’s path, choosing Sydney through its academy in 2018 rather than joining North as a father-son recruit.
Now the Kangaroos have finally landed him after beating a string of rivals chasing his signature.
Geelong had reportedly been Blakey’s preferred destination during negotiations, but were understood to be unable to match North’s enormous offer.
Gold Coast, St Kilda and Essendon were also linked to the defender.
Sydney had maintained that Blakey was a significant part of its plans, with list boss Chris Keane stressing last week that he remained contracted until 2031.
The Kangaroos will gain Blakey’s speed and attacking drive from defence under new coach Jaymie Graham
Blakey will join the club where his father John won premierships in 1996 and 1999
Speaking to Trade Radio on Thursday, Keane said the Swans believed Blakey could return to the club.
‘It’s certainly not something we’ve actively pursued and we feel confident that he could walk back into our footy club,’ he said.
‘But given the calibre of player that he is, and the fact that he is contracted for five more years, we feel like making any deal happen would be significantly challenging.’
Less than a week later, Sydney agreed to a deal on the penultimate day of the trade period.
Blakey was suspended alongside Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice for breaching club behavioural standards in connection with the Pullman Hotel incident.
The club’s disciplinary action was separate from an ongoing Victoria Police investigation into sexual assault allegations arising from the same night.
An October 8 report said Blakey, Heeney, Warner and Jordon had been interviewed by police and no charges had been laid at that time. Bice was not being investigated.
