St Kilda has reportedly made inquiries about Sydney Swans player Nick Blakey, a move that comes as the club insists that suspended players are not available for trade. The interest from St Kilda emerges amid reports suggesting that the All-Australian defender may be seeking a move away from Sydney following a reported strain in his relationship with the club.
Blakey is currently under contract with the Swans until the end of the 2031 season, having signed an extension in June 2023. However, his future has become a subject of discussion leading into the upcoming trade period. Journalist Tom Morris reported that St Kilda has "asked the question" regarding the 26-year-old. Morris noted that other clubs have also made informal inquiries.
In response, Sydney has reportedly communicated to several clubs during a list-management briefing that none of their suspended players would be considered for trade. Morris commented that the Swans would likely maintain this stance at the current time.
These inquiries follow earlier reports that Blakey might seek a trade in October due to dissatisfaction with his treatment by Sydney. It was also reported that he had previously explored the possibility of a move to the Gold Coast for the 2025 season.
Blakey was among five Sydney players suspended by the club for the remainder of the 2026 season on August 19. The suspensions followed an alleged incident in a Melbourne hotel room. The players sanctioned were Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Riley Bice, James Jordon, and Blakey. Reports accompanying the suspensions stated that none of the five players were accused of sexual assault.
James Rowbottom, a teammate and housemate of Blakey, stated that he had not discussed potential trade details with the defender, emphasizing the need to separate the person from the situation to offer support.
Blakey's potential departure would conclude a long-standing association with Sydney. The son of former North Melbourne player John Blakey, he moved to Sydney at age six when his father joined the Swans' coaching staff. He grew up in the city's eastern suburbs, attended Waverley College, and was developed through the Sydney academy system. Despite being eligible to join North Melbourne or Brisbane under father-son rules, Blakey chose to remain with the Swans, who matched a bid from Greater Western Sydney for him in the 2018 draft at pick ten. Known as 'Lizard,' he received a Rising Star nomination in his debut season and earned All-Australian selection in 2024. He has played 172 senior games for Sydney, and his existing contract means any interested club would need to negotiate a deal with the Swans.