AFLW trade deadline: Weston-Turner deal falls apart as Zoe Prowse, Taylor Smith find new homes

The Western Bulldogs have blamed North Melbourne for the deal over Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner collapsing before the AFLW trade deadline. See every move made during the trade period here.

North Melbourne is “still confident” it can secure Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner in Monday night’s draft after failing to strike a deal for the former No. 1 pick.

Weston-Turner, Collingwood vice-captain Jordyn Allen and GWS defender Cambridge McCormick were left unable to reach their desired clubs as other stars including Sydney’s Taylor Smith and former Hawthorn captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd moved on the final day of the trade period.

Western Bulldogs list boss Dan Fisher said “at no point” did the Roos offer a fair deal for the key forward as he all but ruled out the possibility of Weston-Turner remaining at Whitten Oval.

The reigning premiers could trade up on draft night to ensure the 20-year-old arrives at the club but currently will not take a selection until pick 37, leaving a previous suitor like Brisbane or a club with multiple second-round picks like St Kilda a chance to swoop in.

Fisher said there was a two-year deal on the table in front of the eight-game forward but conceded the relationship with the club was likely too damaged for her to want to return.

“It’s a real shame for Westo. We really feel for her. We were open and willing to do a deal for her, but unfortunately at no point in time was there anything that North Melbourne offered that was something (we wanted),” the Dogs’ list boss said.

“They offered a host of late picks, the best of which was No. 37 – it just wasn’t something we were able to do.

“I wasn’t getting a great vibe from her manager (Michael Oakes) late in the piece … we fully respect that Westo is likely to be going to the draft.”

Kangaroos list boss Flynn Loft said the two clubs had still been locked in talks over the young gun with 15 minutes remaining before the 4pm deadline on Wednesday.

Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner will be forced into the National Draft. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

“We’re mindful that it’s probably a pretty emotional time for (Weston-Turner) … but we’ll make sure that Monday night is a really exciting night for her, to come to the club,” Loft said.

“We’re still confident that we’ll be walking out of the draft Monday night with Weston-Turner as a North Melbourne player. Bit to work out, but we’re still confident.”

At least eight trades were not confirmed by the AFL until after the 4pm deadline as clubs fought down to the wire over a series of complex deals, most involving future draft picks.

Carlton secured its other final-day target in Adelaide midfielder Brooke Boileau but failed to get the Giants to budge on Cambridge McCormick – something which left the Blues feeling “disillusioned” after offering their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks.

“There was a desperate plea from Cambridge (McCormick) to get to Carlton. We really thought we put a strong offer (to GWS) … if you look at the context of the overall trade period, it’s probably one of the strongest offers across the board,” Carlton list boss Ash Naulty said.

“We’re a little bit disillusioned as to why that didn’t strike up a dialogue … she’s an outstanding player, well deserved All-Australian and we’ll get in contact with her (this time next season). It wasn’t to be this time.”

McCormick was unable to secure a trade to the Blues. Picture: Brett Costello.

Brisbane trade out Taylor Smith, 2025 Round One pick 18, 2025 Round Two pick 28, 2025 Round Three pick 46, 2026 Round Three selection (tied to Brisbane) and 2026 Round Three selection (tied to Port Adelaide) (4/5)

— AFL House (@AFL_House) December 10, 2025

Hawthorn unlocked the trade taking star Brisbane forward Taylor Smith to Sydney, with the Lions adding an extra first-round pick to their draft hand as the Swans strengthened their attack.

Brisbane head of football Breanna Brock said there were non-football reasons behind the club’s willingness to make a deal for the contracted Smith.

“While we are disappointed to see Taylor go, AFLW is a little different to the men’s space. Taylor had some professional opportunities to explore outside of football in Sydney, which were too good for her to refuse,” Brock said.

“We’ve been supportive of Taylor’s wishes to explore this and managed to get the trade done with the help of Hawthorn. We wish Taylor and partner Tom all the best for the next chapter in their lives.”

Hawthorn loaded up on future picks in the deal which sent Tilly Lucas-Rodd to GWS, gaining the Giants’ 2026 second and third-rounders as well as Brisbane’s fourth-round selection.

Lucas-Rodd found their way to the Giants. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Essendon will enter 2026 with a revamped backline after landing Adelaide key defender Zoe Prowse in a final-hour deal which effectively cost the Bombers their No. 13 pick.

Gold Coast helped the Western Bulldogs secure midfielder Mikala Cann from Collingwood by giving the Magpies their 17th pick and sliding back to 23.

Cann, 25, had been one of Collingwood’s most durable performers over an injury-riddled period for the club, playing more than 10 games in each of the last six seasons.

Collingwood also gained North Melbourne forward-ruck Ariana Hetherington, parting with a future third-round pick to bring the former Docker to her third club.

The Suns finished the trade period holding six picks between 19 and 27, allowing them to match six bids on their academy prospects inside the top 10 of the draft if required on Monday night.

Originally published as AFLW trade deadline: Weston-Turner deal falls apart as Zoe Prowse, Taylor Smith find new homes