Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
Nick Blakey joins North Melbourne after apologising over Sydney scandal
Nick Blakey is leaving Sydney for North Melbourne after a trade between the Australian rules football clubs.
North gave up two first-round draft picks and a future second-round pick as part of the deal.
Blakey, 26, played 173 games for Sydney and was an All-Australian in 2024.
He apologised for events linked to the Pullman Hotel scandal, which led Sydney to suspend five players after a night out in August.
Police are still investigating allegations by three women of sexual assault and unwanted touching; no charges have been laid, and the five players denied criminal wrongdoing.
Blakey said he wants to regain the community’s trust and described North as a chance for a fresh start.
He is joining the club where his father, John, won two premierships in the 1990s.
Nick Blakey has joined North Melbourne from Sydney after apologising for his role in the scandal that disrupted the Swans’ finals campaign.
North Melbourne secured the All-Australian defender in a complex trade involving multiple draft picks.
Blakey said he was sorry for the events that led to his exit and that he needed to win back the community’s trust.
Sydney’s farewell was described as frosty, with no tribute from the club’s senior leaders.
A Victoria Police investigation into allegations linked to the incident is ongoing, and no charges have been laid.
- Who
- Nick Blakey, formerly of Sydney, has joined North Melbourne.
- What
- He moved in a trade and apologised for his role in the Pullman Hotel scandal.
- When
- The move was announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Blakey is moving from Sydney to North Melbourne.
- Why
- North Melbourne acquired him in a trade; Blakey said he wanted a fresh start and to help the club move forward.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Five Sydney players were handed season-ending suspensions over their part in a night of partying after the Swans’ victory over Essendon in round 23.
North Melbourne announced Blakey’s move and his apology.
- Sydney games
- 173
- All-Australian
- 2024
- North Melbourne draft picks given
- Picks 6 and 47 in the 2026 draft
- Future draft selection
- A second-round pick in 2027
- Victoria Police investigation
- Ongoing; no charges have been laid
What people are saying
I want to say that I’m sorry for the events that led up to my exit from Sydney,
I know I have to win back the trust of the broader community, football and otherwise.
This trade with North has significantly improved our draft hand,
We thank Nick for his contribution to our football club since being drafted in 2018, and he leaves our club as a life member, having played over 150 games.
Sources
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