How Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner and her manager plan to ensure the former No. 1 pick makes her way to North Melbourne
The failed deal between the Bulldogs and Roos will send Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner back to the draft. But she’s adamant no other club will take her. Here’s how the former No. 1 pick intends to slide to pick 37.
AFLW teams queuing up to speak to former No. 1 pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner have been told they will not be able to meet with her before Monday’s draft.
At least three clubs have contacted Weston-Turner’s management in the 24 hours since the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne failed to strike a deal on the final day of the trade period.
The 20-year-old forward remains determined to play for North Melbourne but has had to nominate for the national draft in order to leave the Western Bulldogs in the wake of the failed trade.
The Kangaroos do not have a selection until pick 37, but there is interest in Weston-Turner as early as the end of the first round with Collingwood (picks 15, 26 and 29), Carlton (picks 16 and 34) and St Kilda (picks 24 and 31) all believed to have made inquiries since Wednesday.
Weston-Turner only managed one senior game this season and seven in her debut campaign but remains a tantalising prospect for clubs with her mix of height (176cm) and speed.
Entering the draft means she would need to be willing to play anywhere, including returning to Whitten Oval, although Bulldogs list boss Dan Fisher effectively ruled out the club taking that drastic measure on Wednesday.
But potential suitors have been told they will not be able to get in front of Weston-Turner before the draft.
Her manager, Michael Oakes from Elevation Sports Agency, did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday but told the AFL’s trade deadline day broadcast he was confident his player could get through to North Melbourne’s pick.
Oakes joked that he had a “beer deal” with Hawthorn list boss Keegan Brooksby for the Hawks not to swoop in on the forward, but they do not have a selection before North.
Hawthorn and Brisbane had both made early inquiries about Weston-Turner before she nominated North Melbourne as her preferred destination – the Lions hold picks 11 and 33.
“ (Weston-Turner) will get to North Melbourne. She’s committed and they’re committed to taking her,” Oakes said on Wednesday.
“Keegan (Brooksby) and I have a beer deal (not to pick her), so we’re good with that.
“Brisbane, no, she chose not to move interstate. She felt it wasn’t best for her. I hope they respect that and she’ll move on to North Melbourne.”
Kangaroos list boss Flynn Loft said it was “an emotional time” for Weston-Turner after the Bulldogs refused to accept an offer centred on the No. 37 pick.
“We’re still confident that we’ll be walking out of the draft Monday night with Weston-Turner as a North Melbourne player. Bit to work out, but we’re still confident,” Loft said.
Bulldogs list boss Dan Fisher said there had been a two-year offer on the table for the forward, but her management had made it clear she would not be returning to Whitten Oval.
The Kangaroos confirmed veteran duo Emma Kearney and Kate Shierlaw were playing on in 2026 on one-year deals after both declared their intentions to continue amid last month’s premiership celebrations.
Originally published as How Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner and her manager plan to ensure the former No. 1 pick makes her way to North Melbourne
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