North Melbourne add first-round pick to bid for Nick Blakey
Sydney rejected the Kangaroos’ opening proposal, while the Swans are considering Zac Williams as a potential delisted free-agent recruit.
North Melbourne have strengthened their bid to recruit Sydney defender Nick Blakey by adding another first-round draft selection to their trade proposal. The Swans turned down the earlier package of pick No.6 and an exchange of later picks.
The new package is expected to feature pick No.6 alongside the Kangaroos’ 2028 first-round pick, with a future second-round selection also a possibility.
Blakey, 26, has asked to join North Melbourne with five years still to run on his Sydney contract. He was one of the Pullman Five suspended late in the 2026 season. His father John played 224 games for the Kangaroos over 10 seasons.
The Blakey negotiations have complicated North Melbourne’s pursuit of Adelaide’s Nick Murray. Adelaide want a pick in the current draft for the defender, who has another two years on his contract.
Sydney are considering former Carlton defender Zac Williams as a delisted free agent. The Swans need half-back reinforcements: Harry Cunningham is joining Adelaide, Callum Mills is set to miss most of 2027 with a torn ACL, and Blakey is likely to leave.
Carlton delisted Williams after six years at the club. He made nine senior appearances in 2026, finishing in Round 10 when Josh Fraser first took charge. Williams began with the Giants in 2013 and has played 183 games.
