AFLW trade period: All the latest news as Carlton and Gold Coast get set to shuffle down draft order

With the AFLW trade period about to officially open, and the first fully national draft around the corner, clubs are in deep discussion about how to improve their lists. Here’s the latest.

Adelaide premiership defender Najwa Allen has requested a trade to Hawthorn.

The 30-year-old has played 45 games for the Crows, and was part of the side that defeated Melbourne in the season six grand final.

But she has played just once for the Crows in 2024 because of persistent hamstring injuries.

She has requested a trade to the Hawks, a much improved outfit in 2024 but ended their season on a low after being knocked out in straight sets in the finals.

The Crows said they would work with the Hawks to secure the best possible outcome for the club when the AFLW trade period opens on Thursday.

The Crows are again coming off a preliminary final loss and are facing questions as to how they bridge the gap between them and the last two AFLW premiers Brisbane and North Melbourne.

Najwa Allen has requested a trade to Hawthorn. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

FATHER-DAUGHTER GUN PART OF PICK SWAP TALKS

A pair of top-five draft picks are expected to be dropped on the AFLW trade table this week as Carlton and Gold Coast shuffle down the order.

The Suns currently hold pick 2 in December 16’s first truly national draft but clubs are expecting them to move back to prepare for a bid on ace academy prospect Havana Harris.

And similarly, the Blues are expected to seek offers for their No. 5 choice, which would be swallowed up by father-daughter talent Sophie McKay.

McKay, the daughter offer 244-game premiership player Andrew McKay and the sister of co-vice-captain Abbie, is a speedy midfielder.

She has nominated Carlton as a father-daughter selection.

Standing at 183cm, Harris has been capable of rucking and playing as a ground midfielder in her draft year and could have been a No. 1 contender if she wasn’t entrenched in the Suns academy.

Carlton father-daughter prospect Sophie McKay in action for Melbourne Girls Grammar this year. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos

Gold Coast is no stranger to selling picks and moving down the order, with the mens side having shifted top picks in each of the last three years.

It could prove to be a busy trade week for Gold Coast, with captain Tara Bohanna having requested a trade, as Victorian clubs line up.

The Suns sacked coach Cam Joyce on Monday and have also been linked to Melbourne’s contracted star Lily Mithen.

Unlike the male rules, where clubs can stockpile picks in the later rounds to match bids, AFLW clubs require a pick within 18 selections to match a bid, so sliding down the order needs to be contained.

Geelong’s Darcy Moloney, 22, has requested a trade, with West Coast and Sydney her two likely landing spots.

The Cats are readying for draft capital in return for the 46-gamer, who hasn’t been able to fully crack Geelong’s tight midfield rotation.

Tayla Harris has drawn trade interest from rival clubs. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Melbourne star forward Tayla Harris has drawn interest, with Hawthorn and Collingwood looking into how she would fit into their forward halves.

Harris has spent the last four seasons at Melbourne after a four-year stint at Carlton, and began her career with Brisbane.

The Hawks are set to lose Charlotte Baskaran, who has requested a trade.

With players signed to longer-term contracts last off-season, the AFLW trade period is expected to be quieter than 2023, which was headlined by an incredible 12-player deal this involved 11 clubs.

Trades can be made from Thursday until next Wednesday’s deadline.

The restricted free agency window opens this Wednesday.

Originally published as AFLW trade period: All the latest news as Carlton and Gold Coast get set to shuffle down draft order