Wednesday 7 October 2026
Evening EditionRSS
ZOTPAPER

News without the noise

ZOTPAPER
Australia

Blakey to meet Geelong in trade period bombshell

Star Swan explores move despite five years left on contract

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Sources3 outlets
Nick Blakey will meet with Geelong as soon as this week as he explores a potential move to the Cats amid the rancorous fallout from the Pullman Hotel scandal. The 26-year-old Sydney Swans star flew to Melbourne on Wednesday to discuss an exit with his management after a breakdown in his relationship with the club.

According to two industry sources with knowledge of the situation, Blakey is preparing to sit down with the Cats as he investigates whether a stunning late trade can be engineered. This comes despite having five years remaining on his lucrative Sydney contract, which runs until the end of 2031.

Blakey is yet to request a trade, however, the Cats, Essendon and St Kilda have all expressed interest. Geelong is Blakey's preferred destination should he leave the Swans, but Sydney has publicly maintained he is a required player.

The Cats' trade collateral could be an issue. After using next year's first-round pick to secure Jordan Ridley from Essendon on Wednesday, Geelong holds picks 14 and 34 as well as a future first-round pick in 2028.

Blakey's meeting is expected to take place as early as Thursday.

§

Analysis

Why This Matters

  • A move of this magnitude would reshape the AFL trade period and have major implications for the Swans and the Cats.
  • The outcome could signal how much influence off-field scandals have on player movement.
  • It will test the trade system's ability to handle large contracts with multiple years remaining.

Background

Nick Blakey is a high-profile player for the Sydney Swans, contracted until the end of 2031. He has become a figure of intrigue this trade period amid a reported breakdown in relations with the Swans and fallout from the Pullman Hotel scandal. The AFL trade period is currently underway.

Key Perspectives

Sydney Swans: Publicly maintain Blakey is a required player and have not granted permission for a trade. Geelong Cats: Eager to secure Blakey as a key addition but limited in trade collateral after recent deals. Other interested clubs: Essendon and St Kilda have also expressed interest but Geelong is the preferred destination.

What to Watch

  • Whether Blakey formally requests a trade after meeting Geelong.
  • Whether Sydney relents and opens trade talks.
  • How the Cats manage their draft picks to construct a viable trade offer.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

How we workReport an errorSubscribe