St Kilda have emerged as one club interested in the services of suspended Sydney defender Nick Blakey.
Blakey is one of the players banned by the club following the alleged scandal at the Pullman Hotel.
It has been reported that the 26-year-old is unhappy about his treatment by the club, and now wants to leave.
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However, Blakey does have a lucrative contract with Sydney, signed until the end of 2031.
“Nick Blakey is a player that St Kilda has asked the question of,” 7NEWS reporter Tom Morris said on The Agenda Setters.
“There are other clubs that have asked the question of Nick Blakey as well, obviously with no formal commitment. We don’t even know if he’s going to be playing AFL at all next year, pending what is going on in the legal world.
“But there will be some interest for these (suspended) players.”
The other players currently suspended are Isaac Heeney, 30, Chad Warner, 25, James Jordon, 25, and Riley Bice, 25.
The players have denied criminal wrongdoing, no charges have been laid in relation to the police investigation, and 7NEWS.com.au is not suggesting any criminal wrongdoing by any of the players.
Bice has also been cleared of criminal wrongdoing with police saying he is now being treated as a witness.
All the players are under contract, with Warner locked in until the end of 2027 on $1.35–$1.4 million a year.
Morris said Sydney told “a few clubs” on Wednesday — at a list management briefing in Melbourne — that none of the players allegedly involved in the controversy are “up for trade”.
“They would say that at the moment,” Morris added.
“There’s still a bit to play out, and I’ll just keep an eye on what Nick Blakey does, particularly given he’s not too happy with the club.”
The AF trade period starts on Monday, October 5 and runs to Wednesday, October 14.
Meanwhile, Rory Lobb’s future at the Western Bulldogs remains uncertain despite having one year remaining on his contract. The swingman is keen to extend his deal, but the club appears hesitant.
St Kilda have also emerged as a potential destination for Lobb, particularly if Rowan Marshall, who has requested a move to Geelong, departs the club.
The Saints are also pursuing Geelong’s Sam De Koning, although the key defender is reportedly not interested in a move to Moorabbin despite having just one year left on his deal.
“He’s entrenched in Geelong,” 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary said on The Agenda Setters.
“The Saints need to come big here to try and convince him and lure him to play with his brother (Tom).”
In another concern for St Kilda, emerging defender Alix Tauru could be eyeing an exit, despite having a year remaining on his contract.
The top-10 draft pick is reportedly unhappy with his VFL game time, and rival clubs circling.
“The behind-the-scenes nature of this means that his management is also the same management as Leek Aleer,” Morris said.
“And I don’t think they’re too fond of St Kilda after what happened with the Giants defender last year. I also don’t think that Alix Tarou is necessarily fond of playing VFL.
“So the view from other clubs is that he’s looking for a way out at the moment, at the end of this year, even though he’s got another year in his contract. I think St Kilda would like to extend him. But this is certainly one to watch in the trade future.”
