Story perspectives

North Melbourne signs Nick Blakey in blockbuster trade

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 12:32 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

North Melbourne Acquire Blakey

North Melbourne Football Club acquired Nick Blakey from the Sydney Swans in a blockbuster trade.
Sydney Swans traded Blakey, pick No. 52 and a 2028 second-rounder for North’s picks No. 6, No. 47 and 2027-2028 selections.
Blakey apologized for the Pullman Hotel incident that triggered his suspension and a five-player ban.
He accepted an eight-year, $11 million deal, turning down offers from Geelong, St Kilda and Gold Coast.

Summary

North Melbourne Sign Blakey

North Melbourne signed Blakey after CEO Jenn Watt, chief Todd Viney, and strategist Erin Lorenzini briefed the AFLW squad.
The club obtained Blakey’s written account of the Pullman night and cross-checked it with other witnesses.
North consulted the AFL, which raised no objections despite an ongoing police probe.
Watt and president Sonja Hood weighed reputational risk before approving the high-profile signing.

History

Historical Context

The AFL introduced a salary-cap equalisation policy in 1987, setting the total player payments limit at A$1.25 million. Over the decades the cap grew to over A$13 million by 2022, shaping how clubs such as the Sydney Swans and North Melbourne negotiate long-term deals, including recent multi-year contracts like Nick Blakey’s eight-year, $11 million agreement.

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North Melbourne Acquire Blakey

North Melbourne Football Club acquired Nick Blakey from the Sydney Swans in a blockbuster trade.
Sydney Swans traded Blakey, pick No. 52 and a 2028 second-rounder for North’s picks No. 6, No. 47 and 2027-2028 selections.
Blakey apologized for the Pullman Hotel incident that triggered his suspension and a five-player ban.
He accepted an eight-year, $11 million deal, turning down offers from Geelong, St Kilda and Gold Coast.

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