Western Bulldogs premiership hero Monique Conti traded to AFLW expansion club Richmond

AFLW 2018 Rising Star Monique Conti has been traded from Whitten Oval to Punt Road, with expansion club Richmond handing Western Bulldogs pick No. 1 in this year’s draft.

Monique Conti is a Tiger.

The 2018 Rising Star has been traded from Whitten Oval to Punt Road, with the Dogs now having pick one in hand for this year’s AFLW draft.

And while the Western Bulldogs consider the pick to be an opportunity to build its youth stocks, they aren’t thrilled with losing the dual-sport star.

“Naturally, we were disappointed with Monique’s decision after providing her with two years of AFLW football development, including supporting her with an opportunity to continue to pursue her basketball commitments during the winter and summer periods,” Bulldogs head of women’s football Debbie Lee said.

“However, this trade deal will now provide us with access to the best player in what is now a national draft. Combined with the players we have already retained, we are in a strong position to add further talent to our list for next season.”

Monique Conti has been traded to Richmond. Picture: Getty Images

Conti, 19, played 15 games for the Dogs over two seasons and was vital to the team’s 2018 premiership.

She also plays in the WNBL for the Melbourne Boomers.

Conti — who completes a trilogy of big-name signings for the Tigers with Katie Brennan and Sabrina Frederick among a swag of players already committed — will continue to combine both sports.

“Mon has an amazing ability to create time and space in the contest. She is young and has a tremendous upside that we can’t wait to work with,” Richmond women’s football boss Kate Sheahan said.

“It has been great to be able to see our wish list come to life with the addition of seven wonderful players.”

Currently in Bali, Conti had hoped for an earlier deal but could only move via a trade once the allotted four Western Bulldogs players were locked in as expansion signings.

Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains said the current AFLW trade landscape was “difficult”.

“It is a difficult situation for existing AFLW clubs, with four new teams coming into the competition next season and having to contend with a fluid player movement system that is necessarily designed to support expansion,” he said.

Originally published as Western Bulldogs premiership hero Monique Conti traded to AFLW expansion club Richmond