North's $11m offer shakes up Nick Blakey trade race

North Melbourne has put an eight-year, $11 million offer to Sydney defender Nick Blakey.

Up to five rival clubs are pursuing him, according to AFL.com.au. Sydney says it is in the dark over his meetings with rivals. The Swans are prepared to hold him to his contract.

That contract runs through 2031. In the AFL, a contracted player can ask for a trade during the trade period, the October window when clubs swap players and draft picks, but his club still has to agree to a deal.

Blakey is set to meet with clubs in Melbourne in the coming days while pushing for a move out of Sydney. Trade reporter Tom Morris told AFL Trade Radio he was very confident Blakey would not be at Sydney next year, according to SEN.

Sydney list boss Chris Keane said on October 8 the club had not heard directly from Blakey himself that he wants a trade, according to the Sydney Swans. Keane said on October 5 that Blakey had told people around him he was looking at interested clubs. The message from the Swans is consistent. They have not been told face to face.

Essendon is one of the watchers. List manager Matt Rosa said the Bombers had discussed Blakey internally and those talks would continue over the next few days, according to Essendon. Essendon, St Kilda and Geelong had all registered early interest. Reporter Cal Twomey said North had turned Blakey's head somewhat through sheer finances.

There is history here. Sydney dismissed talk of a Blakey trade as "speculation" in early September. Later that month, reports linked him with interest in a move to Geelong. Other reporting said he had explored a move to Gold Coast after the 2025 season following a deterioration in his relationship with the club. Those earlier reports are background now. The live bidding is the story.

Elsewhere, Gold Coast is still trying to add talent with little draft capital. The Suns owned only picks 79 and 83 in this year's draft as of October 9, according to the ABC. Hawthorn's Sam Butler was heading to the Gold Coast for a medical with the Suns on October 9. West Australian youngster Aidan Schubert had requested a trade to the Suns.

For fans, this means a waiting game. Sydney holds the paper. Blakey holds the intent. North holds the chequebook. Someone has to blink before the trade period shuts.