Suspended Sydney Swans star Nick Blakey has further fueled speculation about his future with the club after his girlfriend, Australian Olympic sprinter Ella Connolly, posted a photo on Instagram showing him wearing a Gold Coast Suns jacket. The image, tagged at Crown Towers Hotel, was accompanied by a caption that read, 'Look carefully ... big announcement soon ... we're ready for the Brownlows #afl #goldcoastsuns #brownlows2026.' Comments on the post were reportedly disabled.
Blakey and four other Sydney Swans players—Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon, and Riley Bice—were stood down by the club in August for alleged misconduct at a team hotel in Melbourne. This suspension led to their exclusion from the Brownlow Medal ceremony on Monday night, despite their eligibility to win the award. Their votes during the ceremony were reportedly met with muted reactions.
The Gold Coast hashtag and the team jacket emerge amid reports that Blakey, who is contracted with the Swans until the end of 2031, is considering leaving Sydney. Earlier this month, it was reported that Blakey had explored a move to the Suns at the end of last season, coinciding with Connolly's plans to relocate to Queensland in preparation for the 2032 Olympics. This report also suggested Blakey's potential desire to leave Sydney stemmed from a strained relationship with the club, reportedly exacerbated by their handling of the fallout from the hotel incident.
Blakey's lengthy contract means any potential move would require the Sydney Swans' agreement. Reports suggest the defender's contract is valued at over $1 million per season. While the Gold Coast Suns have been linked to the player, other Victorian clubs have also reportedly expressed interest.
The club-imposed suspensions are separate from a Victoria Police investigation into sexual assault allegations related to the Pullman Hotel incident. As of September 21, no charges had been laid, and all five players have denied any criminal wrongdoing. Rival clubs reportedly believe Blakey is open to a fresh start elsewhere, and the five suspended players were expected to return to Sydney's headquarters that week to discuss their futures.
James Rowbottom, Blakey's housemate and teammate, previously stated he was supporting Blakey through a difficult period, acknowledging the challenging circumstances without divulging specifics of their conversations.