Sydney Swan Tom Papley has taken a public swipe at teammate Nick Blakey over a trade offer amid rumours the embattled player wants to leave the club as scrutiny surrounding the Pullman Hotel saga continues.
Blakey has reportedly emerged as a potential departure candidate, with speculation suggesting the defender wants to leave Sydney for North Melbourne in what could develop into a blockbuster trade.
Speculation surrounding Blakey’s future with the Swans began swirling in the aftermath of sexual assault allegations that have engulfed the club.
The Sydney Swans player, as well as Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and James Jordon are the subject of a police investigation into sexual assault at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne on August 17.
Riley Bice was also present at the incident and was later cleared of criminal wrongdoing, but all five players were suspended from the Club following the alleged incident for breaching behavioural standards.
Victoria Police have not laid any charges in relation to the incident.
This masthead is not suggesting the players are guilty of any wrongdoing, just that they are assisting police with enquiries.
Against that backdrop, Blakey’s trade situation has become another talking point as St Kilda reportedly prepare to put together a significant draft-pick package to lure the defender away from Sydney.
Former AFL player Daniel Gorringe weighed in on the speculation in a video posted to his Instagram account, dandoesfooty, reacting to a post shared by sports journalist Tom Morris.
“St Kilda are going all out for Nick Blakey,” Gorringe said, referring to Morris’ post displayed on screen.
“Go and get a forward... you need that. You don’t need a Blakey, you don’t need to pay that much for him.
“St Kilda love giving way too much for something. They’re sickos for it.”
The report by Morris claimed the Saints had indicated they were prepared to offer three first-round picks for Blakey.
“St Kilda has indicated it is prepared to offer three first round picks for Nick Blakey,” a post on X shared by Morris said read.
“The Saints have 8, 14, and 2027 +2028 F1s at their disposal. They met with Blakey last night.
“Even if @NMFCOfficial is Blakey’s preference, Sydney will try and push him to the club offering the best trade.”
It was Gorringe’s assessment of the reported offer that prompted a brief but notable response from Swans forward Tom Papley.
“Jesus overs,” Papley commented on Gorringe’s video.
Meanwhile fellow suspended Swans player Isaac Heeney was spotted leaving a Thai massage parlour in the eastern Sydney suburb of Maroubra on Friday as his estranged fiancee Steffie Waters enjoys a girls’ trip to the US.
The couple’s relationship appeared to have hit troubled waters in the wake of the Victoria Police investigation, with Ms Waters removing photos of the pair, including a snap of her pictured wearing her engagement ring, from her Instagram grid.
Some photographs have also been tucked into carousels where they were previously visible on her profile.
After keeping a low-profile online since the saga erupted in August, Ms Waters emerged to share posts showing her travel adventures in Austin, Texas, on Friday.
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