AFL 2023: Latest trade, free agency and contract news

Sydney has signed star defender Nick Blakey to the longest current deal in the AFL, but their next move could be to sign another star forward to replace Buddy Franklin next year.

Sydney’s Nick Blakey has signed on for seven more years. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sydney’s star defender Nick Blakey has signed a seven-year contract that will lock him away until 2031 as the Swans express interest in Aaron Naughton as Lance Franklin’s replacement.

The Herald Sun on Monday revealed the mammoth contract extension, which means Blakey will have signed the longest current deal in the AFL.

Harry McKay and Clayton Oliver have contracts that expire in 2030 but 23-year-old Blakey’s seven-year extension comes on top of a current contract expiring next season.

The Sydney cult hero, known by fans and teammates as ‘Lizard’ for his loping running style, said he was determined to remain at the club long-term.

Nick Blakey takes off on a trademark run. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“This is my home. I grew up supporting this club, so to be here for a while longer is very nice and I’m very excited for the future,” Blakey said.

While every long-term deal has risk Blakey is signing away his future free agency, with the AFL’s CBA likely to go up twice during the lifetime of his deal.

The Herald Sun understands Sydney are one of eight clubs to express interest in Naughton, who is signed on at the Western Bulldogs until the end of 2024.

Naughton is in the Dogs leadership group and is more likely to extend his deal over summer than consider offers from Sydney and WA-based clubs.

But his management is happy to park any talks on an extension until year’s end, which will raise hopes clubs can offer huge deals that might turn his head.

At this stage clubs assessing Naughton’s contract situation have only registered interest rather than put in offers that might drag him out of Whitten Oval.

But Sydney’s interest as it also considers Carlton’s Tom De Koning and GWS swingman Harry Himmelberg shows it is firing up its planning for the post Buddy Franklin era.

Naughton has the profile, marketability and marking power to be a franchise player at a club like Sydney but all roads still lead to a Dogs extension.

Aaron Naughton is expected to stay at the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

Blakey has been superb in defence in recent weeks as the Swans deal with a decimated backline unable to select the McCartin brothers or Dayne Rampe.

Against Carlton last week he was a strong intercept marking presence while also making darting runs through the corridor to set up attacking thrusts.

“I can’t see myself playing football anywhere else, so to be here for another eight years, with next year as well, is exciting. I’m very humbled that the club is signing me on for that long,” he said.

“Our team is all so close. We’re really good mates and we’re building something special, so hopefully this group sticks together, and we can do some exciting things in the future.”

Swans football boss Charlie Gardiner said the club was ecstatic to sign Blakey for such an extended period.

“Nick is a great young man and a very important part of our young group, so we are delighted that he has chosen to extend his career with the Swans long term,” Gardiner said.

“He has some unique talents on field and has worked incredibly hard to overcome injuries over the past couple of years to turn himself into a high-quality defender and provide enormous flexibility to the team.

“Nick has a very strong connection with the club having come through our Academy program as a talented junior and is a much-loved figure amongst his teammates and our staff. He brings great energy and enthusiasm and I’m sure our fans and supporters will continue to enjoy watching him play in the years ahead.”