Nick Blakey has admitted he has to “win back the trust of the broader community, football and otherwise” after apologising for his role in the Pullman Hotel incident.
In his first public comments since he and four other Sydney players were suspended for the remainder of the AFL season, Blakey said he was sorry for what had occurred.
It came as the star defender secured a blockbuster move away from the Swans, landing at North Melbourne after a deal was finalised on the penultimate day of the trade period.
Blakey used the Kangaroos’ press release confirming the trade to issue his apology.
“I want to say that I’m sorry for the events that led up to my exit from Sydney,” Blakey said.
“I know I have to win back the trust of the broader community, football and otherwise.
“Now I have the opportunity to move forward and I want to thank North Melbourne for helping me find a fresh start.”
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Blakey was banned from Sydney’s last home-and-away season match and all of their finals games - alongside Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice - following a team-issued suspension for a night of partying in August.
A separate Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault is ongoing.
No charges have been laid, and all Sydney players who served club bans have denied criminal wrongdoing. Bice is no longer a subject of the investigation.
Blakey lands at the Roos on a reported eight-year deal worth somewhere in the range of $11 million, having left the Swans with five years to run on his contract there.
The Swans received picks No.6 and 47, a 2028 future first-round selection and future second-round selections in 2027 and 2028. They also gave up Pick 52 and a 2028 second-round pick.
The move lands Blakey at the club where his father John played 224 games.
“I’m grateful I have landed at a place that has such deep connections to me and my family,” Blakey said.
“There is so much potential in this group and I’m looking forward to getting to work to help take North Melbourne forward.”
Sydney list manager Chris Keane said the move to offload Blakey had “significantly improved” the club’s draft hand.
“Having a pick inside the top 10 is extremely valuable and not something we have had for a number of years, so we will get to work on landing the best player available,” he said.
“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.
“On behalf of the club I wish Nick all the very best as he continues his career at the Kangaroos.”
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service: 1800 211 028