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“Nick Blakey was given a frosty farewell by Sydney and hailed by North Melbourne as a game changer, as he apologised for his role in the Pullman Hotel scandal that rocked the Swans’ finals campaign.”

“He grew up in Sydney and chose to start with the Swans instead of being a father-son selection at the Kangaroos, where his father John was a dual premiership player, and flirted with a move to Geelong before eventually choosing North.”

“That’s because Blakey remains one of four AFL players still subject to a Victoria Police investigation into allegations of sexual assault at the Pullman hotel, where the Swans were staying after beating Essendon at the MCG in round 23.”

“Blakey was one of five Sydney players handed season-ending suspensions by the club for their part in a wild night of partying in August after the Swans’ victory over Essendon in round 23, just a fortnight from the start of the finals.”

“The policy is in the news now because of allegations of drug use by the so-called "Pullman Five"; five Sydney Swans players involved in the Pullman Hotel scandal in August.”

“How does a player who found himself in strife – and suspended by the Swans alongside four teammates for breach of standards and professional conduct – end up profiting from his mistake (aside from some sharp work by his agent)?”

“He will get to Arden Street, but Sydney are well within their rights to demand a high price for a player with five years left on his contract.”

“… have prepared for all possible scenarios in Nick Blakey’s short-term future, after the club’s board approved an eight year, $12 million offer for him to join the Kangaroos while a police investigation continues into the Sydney Swans Pullman hotel…”

“The eight-year, $12 million deal offered to Blakey represents smart business from North, given that Blakey and Sydney were working on a contract extension just weeks before the Pullman Hotel scandal.”

“Geelong is Blakey’s preferred destination should he leave the Swans, with the 26-year-old still determined to investigate a move despite Sydney publicly maintaining he’s a required player.”

“A sexual assault advocate has criticised the Sydney Swans’ decision to allow players at the centre of sexual assault allegations to remain eligible for the club’s best and fairest award, after star midfielder Isaac Heeney took home the top honour on Thursday…”

“An absent Isaac Heeney won the Swans’ best and fairest on Thursday night, as club chairman Andrew Pridham said ruling the players involved in the Pullman Hotel scandal ineligible would have been “inappropriate and in excess of the sanction”.”

“Sydney stars Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey remain eligible to win the Swans’ best and fairest award this season despite their role in the Pullman hotel scandal last month.”

“- See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source The five Sydney Swans players suspended for their role in the Pullman Hotel incident last month will return to face their teammates today.”

“All five players involved in the Pullman scandal were declared ineligible for All-Australian selection.”

“For a kid growing up in western Sydney before the Giants existed, the Swans were the only show in town, and their preliminary final win over Fremantle at what’s now called Accor Stadium in 2006 sticks in the memory.”