Nick Blakey apologises and secures eight-year move to North Melbourne after Pullman Hotel fallout
Defender Nick Blakey issued a public apology for the Pullman Hotel incident and confirmed his trade to North Melbourne on an eight-year contract.
Nick Blakey publicly expressed remorse for the Pullman Hotel incident that resulted in his suspension from the Sydney Swans and vowed to regain the confidence of fans and the broader community. Using North Melbourne's press release, he confirmed his trade to the Kangaroos, secured on the second-last day of the AFL trade window with an eight-year contract valued around $11 million. The move follows a club-issued ban that also affected Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice for a night of partying in August.
While a Victoria Police probe into an alleged sexual assault continues, no charges have been laid and the players maintain their innocence. The Swans received multiple draft picks in exchange, and Blakey highlighted his family ties to North Melbourne, noting his father John’s 224-game legacy with the club. He thanked the Kangaroos for offering a fresh start and looked forward to contributing to the team's future success.
Why it matters
The story shows how off-field conduct can reshape AFL careers and affect club dynamics.
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