In one of the most intriguing and convoluted deals in AFL trade history the West Coast Eagles completed an 11th hour AFLW coup by pushing higher up the order for Monday’s National Draft.
In the complex 11-club deal, the Eagles traded away picks 23 (Melbourne) and 24 (Port Adelaide) and in return received selections 14 and 38 from Gold Coast.
It means West Coast, who had already been busy in the trade period will take selections 2, 14, 38 and 42 to the table on Monday night.
“We were really active this trade period and we are very happy with the outcome,” AFLW List Manager Jordan Loxley said.
“We were able to bring in all three of the players we targeted as well as improving our draft hand to have two first round selections as well as the first selection out of the WA pool.
“We now look towards Monday night where we will continue to improve our list and bring some exciting talent into the club.”
That comes in addition to securing exciting Fremantle forward Roxy Roux, Gold Coast midfielder Alison Drennan and Geelong defender Annabel Johnson as well as adding former West Coast Fever star Verity Simmons to its list.
At the same time the club released Aisling McCarthy to Fremantle and Shanae Davison and Eleanor Hartill to Brisbane.
The Eagles will have four selections in the draft before Fremantle is active after the Dockers traded picks six and 51 to secure Gabriella Newton from the Western Bulldogs and also received pick 61. Having four selections ahead of their cross-town rivals is significant given there are both national and state-based pools from which the WA clubs can recruit.
