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Swans trade bombshell: Banned star ‘wants out’... and he thought about it last year too Nick Blakey reportedly wants out of Sydney. According to The Age’s Sam McClure, Blakey’s desire to leave the Swans follows “a deterioration in his relationship with the club”. Watch every match of the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. The revelation comes after the exhilarating rebounder was one of five Sydney players suspended for the rest of the season after breaching club standards following Round 23. And in a shock detail, Blakey also explored a move to Gold Coast at the end of last season. That was reportedly due to his partner, Olympic runner Ella Connolly, planning a move to Queensland in preparation for the 2032 Olympics. The report states sources claimed “Blakey and his club had become frustrated with each other” since the events at Pullman East Melbourne, with the star defender also said to be “angry about the club’s handling of the situation”. The 26-year-old still has five years remaining on his current Sydney contract, which is thought to be worth more than $1 million per season. Several Victorian clubs, including the likes of North Melbourne and St Kilda, have also been linked to a move for Blakey. The 173-gamer appeared 22 times this year for Dean Cox’s side, averaging 25.6 disposals as a counterattacking weapon.