Car crash Swans, Blakey divorce set to blow up a decade of work

Nick Blakey’s sudden parting of ways and relationship fallout with Sydney would end a partnership the pair had been building since he was in high school.

A product of the Swans’ academy, the star defender had the choice in his draft year between Sydney, North Melbourne or Brisbane. Despite his father’s legacy being tied to the other two clubs, he chose the Swans.

Now, seven years later, he appears set to force his way out of the club on bad terms despite being contracted through 2031.

It all stems from the club-imposed suspension, following the night of partying that saw him, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon suspended for the remainder of the AFL season and barred from All-Australian honours.

The Swans stood all five down for breaching club standards, after they were seen drinking until the early hours of the morning following their round 23 win over Essendon.

In the aftermath, three women alleged incidents of sexual assault took place at the Pullman Hotel during the night. A Victoria Police investigation is ongoing.

Nine.com.au is not suggesting any of the players are guilty or that they were stood down for incidents of sexual assault, only that an investigation is ongoing. Bice has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing and is being treated as a potential witness.

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In the wake of being stood down, Blakey’s relationship with the Swans reportedly deteriorated. Unhappy with the situation and his treatment, it became public knowledge that the 26-year-old was keen to explore a move out the door.

All five suspended players, upon returning to the club, expressed their firm belief that they did not commit any criminal wrongdoing.

Blakey has officially requested a trade to North Melbourne, while Sydney is weighing up whether to grant his request, given his heavy contract, and whether they would rather move him to a team like St Kilda, who has more draft capital to offer them.

The Swans could play hard ball and force him to return. They could also attempt to strong-arm him into heading to a team he doesn’t want to play for, attempting to maximise their return.

All of this to say, it’s beginning to get ugly between player and club, and it’s a sad end to a partnership built over a decade.

Blakey grew up in Sydney after being born in Melbourne given his father, John Blakey, a dual North Melbourne premiership player, was an assistant coach at the Swans for many years.

And that was a big factor in his decision to choose the Swans over the Roos and Lions initially. He grew up in Sydney's eastern suburbs, spent his high school years in the club's academy and his father worked at the club.

From there, he would develop into one of the game's most dynamic and unique players.

Blakey has played 173 games for the Swans, making the 2024 All-Australian team and likely would have received a second blazer in 2026 before being ruled ineligible.

He was a foundational star piece of their side, and, alongside Heeney, Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell, a beacon for what’s possible with their academy. But now he will seemingly head to the Kangaroos, and will don the same blue and white stripes his dad did before him.

And he will get a handy pay rise out of it - probably about $300,000-a-season - with North Melbourne reportedly set to offer him an eight-year deal worth nearly $12 million. It looms as a wild conclusion to a whirlwind few months.

It will leave a bitter taste in Sydney’s mouth. Ultimately, the culmination of years of work from high school, to academy, to development and now one of their cornerstone players will walk out the door in a move nobody would have predicted as they left Marvel Stadium following that win over Essendon.

And Sydney’s premiership hopes for 2027 take a major hit.