‘Nowhere to hide’: How Nick Blakey became the Sydney Swans’ defensive rock

Nick Blakey was drafted by the Swans as a forward, before reinventing himself down back, now he celebrates game 100 as one of the best half-back flankers in the AFL.

Nick Blakey has become an integral part of Sydney’s defence over the past two years. Picture: Phil Hillyard

In a year full of uncertainties for the Sydney Swans, Nick Blakey has been the one constant in their defensive half.

He’s played every game this season and is in the top five at the Swans for disposals and marks, while he leads his side in rebound 50s and one-percenters.

It has seen Blakey cement himself as one of the game’s best rebound players but the transition down back certainly hasn’t come easily.

“Probably in the early part of my career, I didn’t have a defensive bone in my body,” he said. “That was probably the downfall of me as a player early days.

“But down back you’ve got nowhere to hide down there. You’ve got to be able to defend well.”

Blakey finished with a game-high eight marks against the Suns last weekend. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Blakey has gained a reputation for keeping fans on the edge of their seats at the SCG. Anytime he gets the Sherrin in his hands, his first instinct is to use his explosive speed and he’s never been afraid to take a risk every now and again.

But while he has double the number of bounces (48) this season than any of his Sydney teammates, it’s the things that go unnoticed that he wants to build his game on.

“I know a lot of what gets said is about my run and dash through, but what I really pride myself on, and what the coaches really want me to do, is defend well,” Blakey said. “Usually, the other stuff comes off the back of defending well and playing my role.

“Sometimes I get a bit carried away, but it’s good when I go for those runs hearing the crowd go up and about.

“It’s no doubt been my best position since playing AFL being down back. It’s where I’m most comfortable.

“We’ve obviously had a few boys be out, the back six or seven has been a bit disjointed, but it’s good to get some continuity together and get a few wins.”

The defender wants to be known for more than just his run and carry. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The 23-year-old will play his 100th AFL game against the Crows this weekend in a career that feels like it began only yesterday.

For Blakey, it’s a reality he is coming to terms with as he now begins to feel like one of the more senior members of the Swans’ squad.

“I didn’t think I’d get to 100 games, especially as fast as I have,” he said.

“I think growing up in Sydney and loving this club since I was a young fella, and now to be playing [is special]. When I first got to the club, you look at the boys who had played 100 games and you were thinking, ‘Geez, how experienced are they?’.

“Now I sort of fall into that category for the new boys that are at the club. It’s a strange feeling but one that I’ll look back on with lots of good memories.”

Blakey has never been afraid to take the game on. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Blakey, or the Lizard as he’s now known to friends and fans – “It’s almost weird if someone calls me something else”– was recently rewarded with a mammoth seven-year deal to stay at the Swans.

It’s unlikely to be the last long contract Sydney give out with the club looking to lock down more of their young guns for a similar period.

But for Blakey, he’s just happy to have his future secured at a club that means so much to him and that is trending in the right direction.

“I was really keen on doing a long-term deal,” Blakey said. “I’ve grown up around this club and it’s all I’ve sort of ever known.

“To be playing here for another eight years, knowing that I won’t be going anywhere and hopefully be a one-club player, it’s something I always wanted.

“We’ve made it hard for ourselves [this year], there’s no doubt about that. But we’ve won five in a row, and we’ve got a massive game this week in Adelaide … hopefully, we can get it done.”