Blues make tough call on former skipper, Giants playing hardball with wantaway defender
Carlton’s controversial list call on its former captain is set to bring the AFLW’s pregnancy policy under a microscope. Plus, the Giants are playing hardball with the Blues on a wantaway defender.
Carlton’s decision not to re-sign former captain Kerryn Peterson is likely to bring the AFLW’s pregnancy policy under a microscope when negotiations begin on the next collective bargaining agreement.
Peterson, 33, had intended to return to playing for the Blues after stepping down as captain in February and sitting out the 2025 season on the inactive list to welcome her first child, Max.
It is understood the three-time All-Australian was disappointed to be told she would not be offered a new contract as she reached the end of her existing deal.
While it was framed by the Blues on Friday as a mutual farewell, it was a ruthless list management decision by the preliminary finalists as they embark on a trade period recruiting spree.
Carlton’s backline had struggled without Peterson when knee issues kept her out of games in the 2023-24 seasons, but the defensive group took significant strides this season and the Blues formed the view that the game had moved past their former captain.
Young defenders Maddy Hendrie and Ciara Fitzgerald both polled strongly in Carlton’s best and fairest on Thursday night after breakout seasons, and veteran Blue Darcy Vescio made a successful move to the backline in Peterson’s absence.
But the standout in Carlton’s backline was All-Australian defender Harriet Cordner, who at 33 enjoyed a career-best season in 2025.
Peterson is the same age and would have hoped for a similar resurgence had she earnt another contract at the Blues following her pregnancy.
The AFL Players’ Association, where Peterson is a vice-president, would not comment on her departure from Carlton.
But is understood concerns have been raised within the AFLPA over whether players are being supported sufficiently if they take parental leave in the final year of their contract.
It comes after the retirement of Fremantle’s Ebony Antonio, who missed 2025 to give birth to her first child in October and explored playing on at a new club next season before ultimately deciding to draw the curtain on her 70-game career.
The players’ association and AFL have agreed to more generous pregnancy and parental policies with each bargaining agreement since the AFLW’s inception in 2017.
But there is a belief the league will again be pushed to further protect players’ list spots when negotiations begin on the next CBA, which will take effect from 2028.
Other AFLW issues on the table in the next round of negotiations will include the controversial tiered player payment system and the length of the home and away season.
Carlton coach Mathew Buck praised Peterson for her impact over eight years at the Blues after code-hopping from elite basketball to make her debut in 2018.
“I want to thank Kerryn for her contribution to AFLW. She has seen a lot and experienced a wide range of changes, the competition has the momentum it does today thanks largely to the effort of people like her,” Buck said.
“She has been a central figure at Carlton ever since she stepped through the door. She has always led with such passion and enthusiasm – her care for the monogram and her relentless approach to seeing not just her teammates but our entire club to continue to get better is a key part of the legacy she will leave.
“Her legacy and her Carlton connection will always remain and her impact is a key reason why the next wave of leaders we have coming through are in a great position to take our football club forward.”
GIANTS’ HARDBALL STANCE ON ALL-AUS DEFENDER
GWS has knocked back an offer of two first-round picks from Carlton as it takes a hard line stance on a trade for wantaway key defender Cambridge McCormick.
McCormick is contracted for 2026 and the Giants have told the Blues they will need to stump up more to extract the All-Australian as part of their bold recruiting spree.
Carlton is in talks with Gold Coast over a trade for ruck Lauren Bella and also in the race to secure Suns midfielder Claudia Whitfort, while Adelaide young gun Brooke Boileau has also requested a trade to Ikon Park.
McCormick, 27, could be the most difficult deal to strike as the Giants dig their heels in while also making a play for former Hawthorn captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd.
Carlton offered its 2025 and 2026 first-round picks for McCormick but were knocked back.
Despite the Queensland mature-age recruit’s breakout season, sources at rival clubs have expressed surprise at the Giants’ valuation of McCormick and believe it could influence other deals including the Giants’ own pursuit of former Hawthorn captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd.
Brisbane would watch closely to determine its asking price for star forward Taylor Smith in a trade with the Swans, one industry insider suggested.
The Lions have met recently with Collingwood defender Jordyn Allen and are moving closer to securing their first player via trade since the 2023 off-season.
Richmond snapped up untried North Melbourne 20-year-old Georgia Stubs for a swap of future fourth-round picks on Friday, while the Kangaroos also traded out their current first-round pick (19) to Carlton for its future first after the Blues had offered that pick to the Giants.
This trade period is the first time AFLW clubs have been able to exchange future picks, with the Giants receiving a future first from Adelaide in a pick swap on Thursday.
BLUES CLOSE IN ON FIRST TRADE TARGET
Carlton is poised to land Gold Coast ruck Lauren Bella after only draft picks were exchanged on a quiet opening day of the AFLW trade period.
The Blues want to acquire at least four players from other clubs in an aggressive recruiting spree and it is understood they are close to agreeing to a deal with the Suns to secure the first of their targets.
Bella, 25, will be on the move to a third club after beginning her AFLW career with Brisbane in 2019 before spending the last seven seasons at Gold Coast.
Her impact at stoppages was down on previous campaigns this season, but the Blues believe the 188cm Queenslander will be among the players to benefit most from the new ruck rules to be introduced in both the men’s and women’s competitions next year.
Carlton’s approaches to Bella and also Sydney’s Ally Morphett prompted rivals to contact the Blues’ current first-choice ruck Jess Good, but she is contracted for next season and could remain.
Gold Coast is accruing draft picks in preparation to bring in what rival clubs believe could be a record haul of eight or more academy players in this month’s draft.
About 10 Suns academy prospects have been touted to play in the AFLW next season and as many as six could be selected in the top 10, meaning the wooden spooners are willing to move on senior players to clear the list spots and gain enough draft points.
Gold Coast has already delisted six players and is likely to trade out key forward Jacqui Dupuy, while key onballer Claudia Whitfort has suitors including Carlton, Melbourne and Essendon and could also be traded.
After surging into a preliminary final in Mathew Buck’s third season as coach, the Blues are loading up their list in a bid to become a genuine premiership contender and will trade for Adelaide young gun Brooke Boileau, while they also have eyes on GWS All-Australian defender Cambridge McCormick.
While the Bella deal should occur before the weekend, it is believed other trades could be stalled until clubs can reassess the landscape following the expected move of Eden Zanker from Melbourne to Fremantle.
The Demons are eager to come away with a strong draft hand including Gold Coast’s No. 1 pick if they are to let go of their leading goalkicker.
Hawthorn said it would work towards “the best possible outcome for the club” after former captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd formally requested a trade to GWS on Thursday.
The 29-year-old, who can play as an inside midfielder but has been in career-best form at halfback for the Hawks in the last two seasons, could be paid for with the future first-round pick the Giants acquired off Adelaide in one of the two deals to be made on the first day of the trade period.
St Kilda effectively split its pick 13 for two early second-round selections in the next two drafts in a deal with Essendon.
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