AFLW trade week: Tigers with the race for Gold Coast’s No.1 pick as Dees, Blues, Dockers all make moves at trade table
Richmond has out-bid several clubs for Gold Coast’s No.1 pick as the Suns prepare to bring in up to six top 10 academy guns. Plus, two Dees head west and the Blues brought in two stars. See the full wrap.
Richmond has won the race to secure Gold Coast’s No. 1 pick in the AFLW draft as the Suns broke the trade period open with a series of big moves on Sunday.
Gold Coast secured Adelaide’s triple premiership star Anne Hatchard and sent experienced duo Claudia Whitford and Lauren Bella to Carlton as the wooden spooners prepare to enter 2026 with a dramatically overhauled list.
It was revealed last week by Code Sports that Hatchard, 27, was exploring a shock move to the Suns after a decorated 102-game tenure at Adelaide.
The Crows, who are trying to refresh their list under new coach Ryan Davis, gained picks 4, 38 and the Suns’ future first-round selection as they gave up picks 14, 21 and 32 along with Hatchard.
The Suns were able to send pick four after they received it from Richmond along with 22 in exchange for the top pick, No. 56 and a future third-rounder.
It meant Gold Coast was able to make significant inroads towards gaining enough points to bid on a bumper crop of academy players including six potential top-10 picks in next week’s draft.
The Suns are expected to take between eight and 10 players from their academy after they were granted two extra list spots for 2026 and 2027 in a special assistance package from the AFL.
Carlton beat out Melbourne and Essendon in the race for 2023 Suns club champion Claudia Whitfort, who will bolster the preliminary finalist’s midfield mix along with mobile ruck Bella.
It came as the Demons, who had eyes on the No. 1 pick, settled for Fremantle’s ninth selection in a trade which sent star key forward Eden Zanker to the west after 86 games.
The 2022 premiership player joined the Dockers along with speedy utility Lily Johnson, who has followed her partner, Judd McVee, across to his new club.
Melbourne also gave up pick 35 and its future fourth-round selection as it secured picks 9, 27, 81 and the Dockers’ future second.
The Demons, who are also searching for a new coach after Mick Stinear’s departure following their preliminary final exit, remained a chance to explore a deal with the Suns to trade up to the No. 4 pick.
Richmond list manager Trent Moseby was calling the shots for the Tigers’ women’s program after the club parted with both coach Ryan Ferguson and longtime football boss Kate Sheahan as the result of an external review.
Moseby suggested the Tigers had locked in a target to take with their No.1 selection after they also cheaply picked up untried North Melbourne midfielder Georgia Stubs last week.
“We are thrilled to have first access to who we think is the best player in the upcoming draft pool,” Moseby said.
“We are excited for next week’s draft, and we are sure the Tiger Army will be as well.”
Oakleigh Chargers star Chloe Bown has been the standout of the players not tied to the Gold Coast academy and could be in Richmond’s sights.
Originally published as AFLW trade week: Tigers with the race for Gold Coast’s No.1 pick as Dees, Blues, Dockers all make moves at trade table
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