The wife of the AFL’s second-in-charge Tom Harley has flagged on social media that she is “struggling” with North Melbourne’s multi-million signing of Nick Blakey as he is still under investigation over the Swans’ Pullman Hotel sex assault scandal.
Blakey was snapped drinking with his new Kangaroo teammates at Builders Arms Hotel in Fitzroy on Tuesday afternoon – shortly after his blockbuster deal with the club went through.
But author and well-respected media publishing identity Felicity Harley was not celebrating the trade in her comments on a viral social media post from Not All Clubs Media, which calls out inequality in sport.
Mrs Harley was one of many prominent women who endorsed the lengthy commentary, which started saying: “Being a woman in 2026 means watching a footy player linked to an alleged sexual assault investigation receive an $11-$12 million deal.”
“Struggling with this,” Mrs Harley wrote.
It understood she has been concerned about the broader issue of women feeling let down at the moment.
Mrs Harley was also friends with fitness trainer Sam Wood, who is locked up in Queensland on domestic violence charges, and who had been a guest on her podcast.
In August, after the Swans scandal was first revealed by the Herald Sun, Mrs Harley commented on a post by author and mental health advocate Jill Stark that said an AFL club’s success had come before women’s wellbeing.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Mrs Harley said in response to Ms Stark’s post.
The latest comment comes with police on Wednesday confirming the investigation into the into the alleged sexual assault involving multiple Sydney Swans players is continuing.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said: “We won’t be providing a running commentary of the investigation … The investigation remains ongoing.”
Meanwhile, Blakey was photographed celebrating his move by downing some beers with Roos captain Nick Larkey and a handful of players including Paul Curtis and Dylan Stephens on Tuesday.
Geelong legend Tom Harley was the former CEO of the Sydney Swans before moving to AFL headquarters as chief operations officer.
Mrs Harley has long championed female-first issues, founding Women’s Health magazine and penning the book “Balance and other BS”.
She was named one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence for her brainchild the “I Support Women in Sport” campaign.