Sydney halfback flanker Nick Blakey is expected to meet with rival AFL clubs as he contemplates requesting a trade from the Swans this off-season.
AFL Media is reporting that Blakey is eager to move away from the Swans, where he is contracted on big money until the end of 2031.
The length of Blakey's deal is only one aspect that makes his push for a new home complicated.
He is one of the four players who remain a part of the Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault back in August. The next findings from the investigation are not expected to be released until after the trade period has concluded.
Rival clubs would find it hard to convince their boards and supporters of a decision to chase Blakey as a trade target while he remains part of an on-going investigation.
However, Blakey is still keen to test the waters and see if he can get out of the Swans. He is reported to have been disgruntled with the club for a long period of time, dating back to before the Pullman Hotel incident.
It is believed that Blakey would be interested in joining Geelong. Cats list manager Andrew Mackie has said that the club hasn't looked into a play for Blakey at this stage.
Other clubs to loom as options for the 26-year-old include North Melbourne (where his father John played), Essendon (where former coaches Mark McVeigh and John Longmire have just joined) and Gold Coast (he had interest in joining the Suns last off-season).
Blakey is yet to tell Sydney he would like to seek a trade or that he has interest in a move according to Swans list manager Chris Keane.
The star defender has played 173 games for the club since being taken with Pick 10 in the 2018 National Draft. Blakey won an All-Australian blazer in 2024.
