Weston-Turner could be stranded as AFLW trade deals stall ahead of deadline day
Nearly a dozen deals are in limbo with less than 24 hours to go in the trade period, including former No. 1 pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner. See all the deals yet to be done — and who could swoop in.
Negotiations have hit a standstill on several major AFLW trades with former No. 1 pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner bracing for the possibility of entering her second draft.
With the clock running down before Wednesday’s 4pm trade deadline, North Melbourne had not increased its offer of pick 37 for the Western Bulldogs key forward.
That selection is the Kangaroos’ first in next week’s draft, which makes it highly unlikely that the reigning premiers could walk Weston-Turner through to their selection without trading up towards the end of the first round.
Several other Melbourne clubs – believed to be including Richmond, which holds picks 38 and 40, are monitoring the talks in the hopes they could swoop in, but is understood Weston-Turner’s heart is set on a move to Arden Street.
The Tigers have opened up another list spot with Katelyn Cox told she would not be offered a new contract after playing in 10 games this season.
A handful of other big-name trades are in limbo including Adelaide’s Zoe Prowse and Brooke Boileau, with the duo also out of contract and faced with the possibility of entering the draft.
Prowse, a proven key defender, nominated Essendon as her preferred destination last week but a deal is yet to be struck, while it is understood talks have progressed slowly between the Crows and Blues over Boileau.
GWS defender Cambridge McCormick faces a nervous wait after the Giants knocked back the Blues’ initial offer of a current and future first-round pick last week.
Neither side has budged since, but the 27-year-old All-Australian has expressed her strong desire for a move to the Giants.
After also bringing in Gold Coast pair Claudia Whitfort and Lauren Bella, Carlton has faced a difficult task clearing the list spots to bring in its targets, but traded Keeley Skepper to West Coast for pick 66 and a swap of late future selections on Tuesday.
The Blues are also looking to send young forward Mia Austin to Melbourne and made the tough decision not to offer former captain Kerryn Peterson a new contract after she was inactive in 2025 to welcome her first child.
Uncontracted Blue Brooke Vickers has been forced to wait until after the trade deadline to see whether she will receive a new deal.
Sydney has not yet been able to satisfy Brisbane with a deal for star forward Taylor Smith, while the Giants are searching for the right pick to secure former Hawthorn captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd.
The Hawks want to bring in Gold Coast forward Jacqui Dupuy, while Brisbane was pursuing contracted Collingwood defender Jordyn Allen but was set a steep price by the Magpies and appear unlikely to strike a deal.
Collingwood midfielder Mikala Cann still wants to get to the Western Bulldogs but could be affected by the outcome of the Weston-Turner talks.
The Lions have also been linked to another Magpie – 21-year-old midfielder Lily-Rose Williamson, who joined the Pies as an injury replacement player this season.
Veteran St Kilda defender Nicola Stevens has one year remaining on her deal but is trying to move to Geelong for a longer offer as part of a deal where future picks could be swapped.
Originally published as Weston-Turner could be stranded as AFLW trade deals stall ahead of deadline day
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