Collingwood and Western Bulldogs will dominate AFL Women’s draft

AFTER battling in the inaugural season, things are looking up for Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs following the AFLW trade period. KEY MOVES

COLLINGWOOD and the Western Bulldogs will dominate the AFL Women’s draft, with the teams each holding three of the top seven picks.

The Pies and Bulldogs struggled in the debut AFLW season and added to existing picks with exchanges made in the two-week sign and trade period which closed yesterday.

Moana Hope remains a Magpie. Picture: Getty Images

The biggest move was the Brisbane Lions’ Tayla Harris to Carlton, in exchange for two players and effectively a third, sent to Melbourne.

Players will nominate for state-based drafts to be held in October, meaning the four Victorian clubs will compete against each other and not the remaining four teams.

The Bulldogs have the first pick, then Collingwood. Melbourne’s first pick is at No.5 while Carlton will have to wait until pick 8.

A four-day free agency period opens on Monday. Players not re-signed by their original clubs are free to join any club who makes them an offer.

Former Crows marquee Kellie Gibson is expected to join Fremantle.

Collingwood’s one-time marquee, Moana Hope, who struggled this season, will stay with the Magpies after agreeing to a new deal.

Trades often involved multiple clubs, players and draft picks and ultimately after two weeks:

CARLTON secured Harris from Brisbane as well as Collingwood halfback and best-and-fairest winner Nicola Stevens.

COLLINGWOOD picked up onballer/forward Jaimee Lambert as a tier-one signing from Western Bulldogs.

MELBOURNE is the new home for Blues utility Bianca Jakobsson while Ashleigh Guest joins from GWS Giants.

WESTERN Bulldogs have taken Deanna Berry from Melbourne.

BRISBANE Lions added Nat Exon and Bella Ayre in the Carlton-Harris trade.

GWS GIANTS gained Collingwood vice-captain Alicia Eva, and Pepa Randall and Maddie Boyd from Melbourne.

Adelaide and Fremantle did not trade.

Rookie signings from other clubs include former Hockeyroo Georgie Parker and volleyballer Eliza Hynes (both Collingwood).

Originally published as Collingwood and Western Bulldogs will dominate AFL Women’s draft