AFLW Trade Period: Recap all the deals and news from Wednesday’s deadline

After two weeks of negotiation, Tayla Harris’ future remains in doubt after the Hawks and Demons could not agree to a deal for the star forward. Recap AFLW trade deadline day here.

Tayla Harris’ future remains uncertain after Melbourne and Hawthorn failed to shake hands on a deal before Wednesday afternoon’s AFLW trade deadline.

On a frenetic final day of the trade period nine players found new homes - including Essendon’s Amber Clarke to St Kilda for pick 8 - but Harris was not one of them.

Hawthorn refused to part with its pick 14 for the four-time All-Australian and could not otherwise satisfy the Demons, who have already tabled a fresh contract for the 27-year-old spearhead in the hopes she will stay in the red and blue next season.

Tayla Harris was not traded to the Hawks. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Harris had been expected to move to the Hawks as part of a six-club deal last Friday that saw teammate Lily Mithen land at the Suns amidst 16 draft pick swaps.

But Hawthorn walked away from that deal, leaving the key forward’s future in limbo.

Geelong and West Coast entered discussions on a potential four-team trade on Wednesday but those talks broke down.

And ultimately Melbourne and Hawthorn could not agree a deal to send Harris to Waverley, leaving the key forward with a big decision to make in the coming days.

She can either accept Melbourne’s contract offer for 2025, or delist herself and nominate for next Monday’s AFLW draft.

The Harris bombshell added to an enthralling deadline day that culminated with Essendon trading 2022 top-10 pick Clarke for the Saints’ No.8 selection.

But a mooted swap between Essendon and Richmond for Paige Scott and Emelia Yassir did not materialise.

Wednesday’s dealing started with the AFL ticking off on dual All-Australian Eilish Sheerin’s move from Richmond to North Melbourne despite frustration from rival clubs.

The reigning premiers only had to give up pick 18 to be strengthened by Sheerin, who has finished runner-up in the Tigers’ best and fairest for three consecutive seasons.

Sheerin could return to halfback for the Kangaroos after she made back-to-back All-Australian teams in defence, but put together a strong campaign as a midfielder as Richmond reached an elimination final this year.

News of the impending trade had drawn ire from rival clubs, given the Roos were coming off an undefeated season which ended in a breakthrough AFLW premiership. But it’s understood the league was satisfied a fair deal had been reached between the two clubs.

The uncontracted 32-year-old had interest in her home state from GWS and Sydney, but it is understood a major factor in her decision to join North Melbourne was her close friendship with Kangaroos women’s football boss Erin Lorenzini.

A former WNBL player who crossed to AFLW to spend two years at GWS, Lorenzini was appointed to her role at Arden St in June.

Sydney youngster Ella Heads was traded to the Power while the Swans received Essendon’s Ashleigh Van Loon in an exchange of picks between the four clubs.

Sydney also added wantaway North Melbourne midfielder Lulu Pullar for picks 49 and 51. The Kangaroos then shipped pick 51 to Fremantle for key forward Ariana Hetherington.

Adelaide landed St Kilda utility Grace Kelly which will see her reunite with sister Niamh after a three-way trade with St Kilda and GWS.

The Kelly sisters first played together at West Coast before the duo both moved onto separate clubs.

The deal also saw former Giants No.1 draft pick Nicola Barr move to St Kilda along with GWS’ pick 57 while the Giants acquired pick 52.

After securing Hawthorn midfielder Mattea Breed on Tuesday, Collingwood returned to the trade table on deadline day to secure Fremantle speedster Airlie Runalls in exchange for pick 45.

The Power and Lions also landed late first-round picks in a bumper final day of the trade period.

Originally published as AFLW Trade Period: Recap all the deals and news from Wednesday’s deadline