Nick Blakey's Last Sydney Swans Cards: A Collector's Guide
Nick Blakey's four confirmed 2026 cards (Footy Stars Base #197, Footy Heads FH91, Teamcoach Base #48 and Star Powers SP-79) are the last that will ever show him as a Sydney Swan, after his trade to North Melbourne was confirmed at AFL House on 13 October 2026. Sydney's farewell was conspicuously cold: no tribute came from coach Dean Cox, CEO Matthew Pavlich, chairman Andrew Pridham, or footy boss Leon Cameron, with only list manager Chris Keane offering thanks in the final two paragraphs of a statement focused on the picks received. Every red-and-white Blakey is now a closed chapter on 173 games and 54 goals.
Which 2026 cards are officially his last as a Swan?
These are the four confirmed 2026 cards printed in red and white before the trade was done.
- 2026 Select AFL Footy Stars Base #197 (Sydney Swans, unnumbered)
- 2026 Select AFL Footy Stars Footy Heads FH91 (unnumbered insert, seeded 1:3 packs)
- 2026 AFL Teamcoach Base #48 (Sydney Swans, unnumbered)
- 2026 AFL Teamcoach Star Powers SP-79 (unnumbered insert)
Are there parallels and harder pulls to find?
Every 2026 Footy Stars base card has a Luminous parallel on silver PET stock, one per pack. Blakey's number in the 180-card Luminous subset has not been confirmed on any checklist yet, but it exists. The 2026 Teamcoach base also comes in Silver and Pearl parallels across the full set.
Other 2026 Footy Stars inserts including Milestones, Adrenaline Acetate, and Mercury may well include Blakey, but no card numbers have been confirmed. Hold off assigning numbers until a checklist backs them up. Snap a photo in CardLoft to log what you already have and track the gaps.
Why does the father-son angle matter to collectors?
John Blakey played 224 games for North Melbourne and won premierships in 1996 and 1999. Nick grew up training at Arden Street as part of the club's father-son program. He is not just signing with a new team; he is going home.
That storyline makes both eras collectable: the Swan years now permanently closed, the Kangaroo years just beginning.
What are his best historical Swan cards?
His 2024 All-Australian season, named at back pocket, produced the strongest collector cards from his time at Sydney.
- 2024 Footy Stars Base #151
- 2024 Footy Stars Ignite #087/125 (numbered)
- 2024 Footy Stars Stat Kings SK77
- 2024 Footy Stars Absolute 30/70 (tighter numbered dual card)
- 2024 Teamcoach Magic Wildcard MW-16
- 2025 Footy Stars Luminous L167 (his final card from the 2025 season)
- 2019 Footy Stars debut-year card (number unconfirmed): the season he kicked 21 goals in 19 games and won Sydney's Rising Star award
Frequently asked questions
What is Nick Blakey's last confirmed Sydney Swans card?
The confirmed 2026 cards are Footy Stars Base #197, Footy Heads FH91, Teamcoach Base #48, and Star Powers SP-79. More 2026 inserts may carry his name, but card numbers for those are not yet confirmed.
Does Blakey have any numbered cards from his Swan years?
Yes. The 2024 Footy Stars Ignite is numbered #087/125 and the Absolute is numbered 30/70. The Absolute is the tighter print run of the two.
Did Nick Blakey make the All-Australian team while at Sydney?
Once, in 2024, named as back pocket. He was in the extended squad in 2023 but did not make the final 22.
Why was Sydney's farewell statement so cold?
The club's announcement focused on the draft compensation received. Only list manager Chris Keane thanked Blakey, buried in the final two paragraphs. No quote came from the coach, CEO, or chairman. North Melbourne's statement was extensive and warm.
What is the Pullman Hotel situation collectors should know about?
Blakey and four teammates were suspended by Sydney for the final rounds of 2026 for breaching club behavioural standards; a Victoria Police investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid. Blakey issued a public apology alongside the North Melbourne announcement.
