All the trade news and updates from across AFLW trade period: Blues target rucks, pick swaps agreed

Carlton has made approaches to two rival rucks on the opening day of trade period, but clubs have come knocking in return. Plus, the Dons and Crows have improved their draft hands.

Carlton is poised to land Gold Coast ruck Lauren Bella on Friday 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.

The Blues look likely to land Lauren Bella. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

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.

Tilly Lucas-Rodd has requested a trade. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

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.

Originally published as All the trade news and updates from across AFLW trade period: Blues target rucks, pick swaps agreed