Arabic version: تقارير بلايكي تعقّد محادثات صفقات الانتقالات في دوري كرة القدم الأسترالية

According to ABC News, reports that suspended Sydney player Nick Blakey is meeting rival clubs have added uncertainty to AFL trade-period negotiations, while proposed moves involving Rowan Marshall and Zak Butters remain unresolved.

ABC reported Blakey is believed to be assessing his options before telling Sydney he wants to leave. AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey had reported that Blakey hoped to find a trade and was speaking with clubs during the week. Sydney has maintained that none of its suspended players will leave, and Blakey has five years remaining on his contract.

The report said any club considering a Blakey trade would be aware of the risk posed by the continuing police investigation into events at the Pullman Hotel. ABC said there had been no suggestion Blakey wanted to leave Sydney before the incident. Geelong was identified as the club Blakey would be most keen on, but the Cats would need significant trade assets, with multiple first-round picks described as a starting point.

Geelong is also pursuing Essendon defender Jordan Ridley and negotiating for St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall. The Saints want at least pick 14 for Marshall, ABC reported, while Geelong’s reported offer for Ridley was a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and Jack Bowes.

In the Butters negotiations, ABC said Richmond or other clubs were not considered realistic chances to intervene if the Western Bulldogs’ deal with Port Adelaide was not finalised. The AFL had rejected a proposed arrangement involving Todd Marshall because Port Adelaide was set to continue paying part of his salary in exchange for multiple first-round picks from the Bulldogs, the report said.