Suspended Sydney half-back flanker Nick Blakey is reported to be eager for a trade this off-season.
Despite being contracted until the end of 2031, The Age is reporting that due to a relationship breakdown between Blakey and the club over the Pullman Hotel incident, Blakey is keen to seek a new home for 2027 and beyond.
Blakey's father John played 224 games for North Melbourne, and the Roos are in desperate need for talented talls in their backline. So perhaps Arden Street looms as his new home.
However, any clubs considering targeting one of the Pullman Five of Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon or Riley Bice, will be near certain to wait until the police investigation is completed before seriously chasing any of the five players.
The group of players have not returned to the club since the incident and their subsequent season-long suspensions.
The Pullman Hotel incident, which happened over a fortnight ago, is still part of a Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault.
Four players have been interviewed by police, while another Riley Bice, has been cleared and is being treated as a witness.
Sydney plays its Qualifying Final against Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.
This is a situation done badly….. reactive, overreactive and with an eye on the tabloids (and mirror)……
While sexual assault is illegal – we do not know what happened.
What we do know is that a group of players have been accused of a crime – and their employer – without waiting for a guilty verdict in court, has seen fit to “punish” these players.
I do not assume that the women are lying – I simply put out that this is a case of extra-judicial penalties administered outside the law.
Everyone should consider if an allegation against them was made – should their employer have the right to fire them without them having a day in court?
IF these players are found to be guilty – then sure, ban them from the league on top of their legal penalties.
… but to act before the police have even started inquiries does nothing to see justice done…. but it does highlight the league’s (or club’s) willingness to throw a player under a bus…. quickly.
It has been reported time and time again, and reiterated by the club time and time again, that the suspension of the players by the club has nothing to do with potential charges and everything to do with the players in question breaching club rules by drinking to all hours of the night and getting women back to their rooms. Should any of the players be charged with a criminal offense then the AFL themselves will determine punishment.