{"id":321317,"date":"2025-12-01T21:13:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T21:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/321317\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T21:13:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T21:13:11","slug":"trade-and-draft-updates-and-dates-eden-zanker-fremantle-taylor-smith-sydney-swans-chloe-bown-gold-coast-academy-prospects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/321317\/","title":{"rendered":"Trade and draft updates and dates, Eden Zanker Fremantle, Taylor Smith Sydney Swans, Chloe Bown, Gold Coast academy prospects"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Kangaroos are back-to-back premiers<\/a>. Now the chase to catch the AFLW\u2019s benchmark team ramps up via the trade period and national draft.<\/p>\n

A host of big names are poised to move clubs, which will have a significant domino effect on how the draft plays out.<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au breaks down the latest trade and draft news ahead of the 2025 AFLW draft, which will be held from 7pm (AEDT) on Monday December 15 \u2014 live and exclusive on Fox Footy, via Foxtel (Channel 504) and Kayo Sports.<\/p>\n

Watch live coverage of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft on Kayo Sports 15 Dec | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n

NEW RULE SETS UP TRADE FRENZY<\/p>\n

Like the AFL post-season set-up, the AFLW trade period begins less than a week after the grand final.<\/p>\n

The 2025 AFLW trade period will run for six days \u2013 Thursday December 4 to Wednesday December 10 \u2013 which is slightly narrower than the AFL window.<\/p>\n

But the turnaround between the women\u2019s trade period and national draft is mightily short, with the draft to be held on Monday December 15 \u2013 five days after the trade deadline. For context, AFL clubs had 35 days between their trade period deadline and the boys draft.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a massive challenge for AFLW club football departments and list management teams, who are doing more draft preparation on the run while trying to balance trades and contract calls \u2026 and almost certainly with less resources.<\/p>\n

“She might not be at school on Monday” | 03:38<\/p>\n

One new mechanism that\u2019ll make player movement more fluid this year is the introduction of AFLW future pick trading, with clubs this year able to part with \u2013 and accept \u2013 2026 draft picks. Although there are some restrictions, with clubs only allowed to trade either a future first-rounder or future second-rounder \u2013 not both. If you trade one future pick in the first two rounds, you can\u2019t part with the other.<\/p>\n

The impact will be significant, nonetheless.<\/p>\n

More AFLW trades will go through smoothly, meaning the days of four-club, six-club and even 11-club mega deals \u2014 yes that happened two years ago<\/a> \u2014 will be unnecessary for players to land at their preferred destinations.<\/p>\n

And not only will the competition\u2019s top players have a better chance of moving, clubs will also have more flexibility to trade in \u2013 or out \u2013 of drafts. The latter point is particularly significant for this AFLW off-season.<\/p>\n

BEWARE THE BOLD BLUES<\/p>\n

Of all 18 AFLW teams, Carlton is expected to be one of the busiest.<\/p>\n

But whether the Blues will have the means to land all their desired players is doubtful.<\/p>\n

The Blues, under coach Matthew Buck, were the biggest riser of the year, jumping from 14th last year to a preliminary final in 2025.<\/p>\n

The club\u2019s resurgence has led to more rival-club players showing interest in joining the Blues, who are also aggressively looking to capitalise on their healthy position.<\/p>\n

Carlton has been strongly linked to Gold Coast ruck Lauren Bella \u2013 who\u2019s played a club-record 66 games but struggled to maintain her spot in the senior Suns side this season \u2013 as well as gun midfielder Claudia Whitfort, who\u2019s endured an injury-interrupted past two seasons.<\/p>\n

Lauren Bella and Claudia Whitfort. Picture: Albert Perez\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Bella isn\u2019t the only ruck linked to the Blues, with All-Australian Swan Ally Morphett meeting with Carlton officials, per AFL Media, despite being contracted to Sydney for another two seasons. Then there\u2019s Giants defender Cambridge McCormick, who\u2019s also a contracted All-Australian.<\/p>\n

The Blues have also been linked to 20-year-old Bulldogs midfielder Brooke Barwick, who was taken with the Bulldogs\u2019 second pick at the 2023 draft.<\/p>\n

All that comes after Adelaide midfielder Brooke Boileau a fortnight ago informed the Crows of her desire to be traded, with Carlton understood to be her preferred club. <\/p>\n

Despite the introduction of future pick trading, sources spoken to by foxfooty.com.au believe the Blues will severely struggle to land all their desired targets over the next week. That is unless they move on a few contracted players, but that seems less likely after such a successful 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, an array of other key players will be on the move over the next fortnight.<\/p>\n

Bulldog Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner has nominated back-to-back premiers North Melbourne as her preferred destination \u2013 two years after being selected with Pick 1 by the Western Bulldogs, who are set to trade in Collingwood on-baller Mikala Cann. Adelaide defensive duo Zoe Prowse and Kiera Mueller are both considering interest from opposition teams.<\/p>\n

Collingwood best and fairest winner Jordyn Allen is also weighing up a move away from the Magpies, despite being contracted to the club until the end of 2027. It\u2019s understood the 25-year-old star defender is open to an interstate move to continue her career, with early links to the Brisbane Lions.<\/p>\n

Jordyn Allen of the Magpies. Picture: Daniel Pockett\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Richmond midfielder Grace Egan has been encouraged by the Tigers to explore her trade options. Foxfooty.com.au understands Adelaide has interest in Egan, who\u2019s played 66 games and had five top-six best and fairest finishes in six seasons.<\/p>\n

Egan has also been linked to Fremantle and the Giants \u2013 the latter club also having interest in acquiring Hawks All-Australian defender Tilly Lucas-Rodd, who\u2019s uncontracted beyond 2025.<\/p>\n

BIGGEST TRADE PILLAR\u2026 AND HOW IT SETS UP FRANTIC PICK 1 RACE<\/p>\n

But arguably the biggest name on the AFLW trade table, at this stage, is uncontracted Demons forward Eden Zanker, who\u2019s eyeing a move to Western Australia.<\/p>\n

Zanker, 26, has been a mainstay of the Demons\u2019 line-up since 2018, playing 86 games. Outside of superstar skipper Kate Hore, Zanker has been Melbourne\u2019s biggest offensive threat, booting 51 goals across the past three seasons, including 22 in 2025.<\/p>\n

The premiership Demon and 2023 competition leading goalkicker is being widely tipped to join Fremantle, which is looking for a strong forward 50 player as it prepares to play more games without sidelined star Aine Tighe.<\/p>\n

A Zanker-Dockers trade could see Melbourne collect another two first-round picks.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s why sources spoken to by foxfooty.com.au believe Melbourne would be in the box seat to land the first selection in this year\u2019s draft, as they\u2019d have up to three first-round picks to use to strike a trade for the No.1.<\/p>\n

Other than the Demons, Richmond is seen as a strong Pick 1 suitor. The Tigers, who finished 16th this year, hold Picks 4 and 22 in this year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n

Adelaide this week publicly declared its interest<\/a> via CODE Sports in acquiring Pick 1, while St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs have also been linked to a top-pick play.<\/p>\n

Ava Usher of the Suns in action during the AFL National Championships Under 16s in 2023. Picture: Chris Hyde\/AFL PhotosSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n

Pick 1 is currently held by 2025 wooden spooners Gold Coast \u2013 but that selection is being openly shopped around by the club.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because of the ridiculously strong crop of Suns academy prospects.<\/p>\n

If you thought this year\u2019s boys draft was heavily compromised \u2014 20 bids were launched on club-tied players<\/a>, with 15 matched \u2014 wait for this year\u2019s AFLW draft.<\/p>\n

Multiple AFLW clubs spoken to by foxfooty.com.au believe eight to 10 Suns-tied players could attract bids at the national draft. Up to five of them are regarded as genuine top-10 prospects.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s the athletic and versatile Georja Davies \u2013 the youngest of the four Davies sisters \u2013 as well as strong-bodied key forward Dekota Baron and explosive midfielder Ava Usher, who could be the best player in the pool despite having no recent exposed form due to being sidelined through injury for the past two years.<\/p>\n

The Suns have also struck gold in Sunny Lappin, who in October confirmed her intention to nominate Gold Coast<\/a> as an academy selection for December\u2019s draft. The 18-year-old could\u2019ve nominated either Carlton or St Kilda under the father-daughter rule \u2013 her dad, 2004 All-Australian Matthew Lappin, played for both clubs during his 14-season AFL career \u2013 but she said she thought she\u2019d play her best footy at the top level if she remained on the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n

Rounding out the top five is Alannah Welsh \u2013 a damaging 169cm forward who in October ran the second-fastest AFLW draft combine 2km time trial (7:07) ever.<\/p>\n

Other Suns academy players sources believe are in the national draft mix include Bronte Parker, Rhianna Ingram, Mikayla Nurse, Annabelle Foat and Aleah Stringer.<\/p>\n

Some clubs believe the Suns could take at least eight \u2014 possibly all 10 \u2014 academy players to ensure their list remains Queensland-heavy. It\u2019ll be tricky to pull off, but they\u2019re already making moves to land as many as possible.<\/p>\n

Sunny Lappin of the Suns. Picture: Craig Dooley\/AFL PhotosSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n

The Suns in early November delisted six players: Ella Maurer, Wallis Randell, Ella Smith, Keely Fullerton, Tayla Gregory and Taya Oliver. They could lose all of Bella, Whitfort and key forward Jac Dupuy during the trade period as well \u2014 Dupuy has been linked to Hawthorn \u2014 which would open up even more list spots.<\/p>\n

But matching the live bids might be Gold Coast\u2019s most challenging task.<\/p>\n

While clubs use the DVI points system in the boys draft, AFLW list management teams can only match bids using a selection within 18 picks of when that bid is launched. With no live trading during the girls draft, it means the Suns must get organised over the trade period and secure an array of appropriate selections to help them match as many bids as possible.<\/p>\n

Watch for the Suns to not only part with Pick 1 over the coming weeks, but also look to split multiple selections and spread them out as evenly as possible across the draft. Rival clubs believe the Suns will ideally look to shuffle back multiple picks into the late teens to mid-20s, for those selections will be like gold for them. One source said the Suns would look to acquire six top-30 picks to feel comfortable.<\/p>\n

Gold Coast, too, will most likely look to get out of the early stages of the 2026 draft. And considering its 18th-place finish this year with the youngest list in the competition \u2013 combined with the fact the Suns\u2019 average age is about to decrease again this off-season due to the academy influx \u2013 Gold Coast\u2019s future picks loom as hot property for rival clubs keen to get into next year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n

Taylor Smith of the Lions. Picture: Michael Willson\/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n

SWAN WATCH<\/p>\n

The other key trade headline to follow over the next week is premiership Lions star Taylor Smith, who\u2019s attracting big rival club interest.<\/p>\n

Smith has been a mainstay of the successful Brisbane set-up since 2021, kicking the second-most number of goals in club history (67) to go with a premiership and an All-Australian blazer.<\/p>\n

Despite being contracted to the Lions for another season, Smith is in the sights of clubs around the AFLW \u2013 especially the Sydney Swans, who are looking for a key forward to support star goalkicker Chloe Molloy. While Smith isn\u2019t disgruntled at Brisbane, it\u2019s understood she would sign a significantly more lucrative deal if she moved clubs.<\/p>\n

It comes as the Swans keep track of how strong the lure is \u2014 and how realistic it is \u2014 for star ruck Morphett to switch allegiances.<\/p>\n

Whether the Swans land Smith and\/or lose Morphett remains unclear, with both players still contracted to their respective clubs.<\/p>\n

But keeping Morphett and acquiring Smith from Brisbane could leave the Swans in an exposed draft position when it comes to their academy prospects, for the Lions would undoubtedly drive a steep asking price at the trade table.<\/p>\n

The Swans are tied to Alex Neyland \u2013 an athletic 178cm utility who\u2019s soared up draft boards across the year. After impressing in the Coates Talent League for the Swans academy then the Allies at the national championships, Neyland produced top-five finishers in four of the five national combine tests.<\/p>\n

Neyland is being discussed by some clubs as a top-10 prospect. Multiple sources spoken to by foxfooty.com.au suggested the Giants, who hold Pick 2 after finishing 17th in 2025, were considering bidding on the NSW product \u2013 a bid that could be hard for the Swans to match, depending on how a possible Smith trade worked out.<\/p>\n

Alex Neyland during the Telstra AFLW National Draft Combine. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Neyland isn\u2019t the only highly-rated Swans academy prospect in the 2025 draft pool, with midfielder Kiera Yerbury and 185cm ruck Madeleine Quinn also earning national combine invites after being selection in the All Stars team earlier this year.<\/p>\n

The Giants, meanwhile, were one of three clubs last week to receive special assistance packages from the AFL. While Collingwood and Gold Coast were awarded additional list spots for the next two seasons, the Giants received two first-round selections: Pick 3 in this year\u2019s draft and an end-of-first-round selection (Pick 19) in the 2026 draft.<\/p>\n

Some rival clubs, who were told of the move on Friday, were left surprised by the Pick 3 and 19 calls, especially considering the Giants\u2019 strong 2026 academy crop, headlined by Zoe Curry, Morgan Stevens and Majella Day, who are all part of next year\u2019s Under 18 AFL national academy. Ultimately, the Giants have had a 17 per cent win rate over the past three years.<\/p>\n

The Giants could either use Pick 3 on draft night or part with it during the trade period as part of a deal to land a rival-club player. <\/p>\n

TOP OPEN POOL PROSPECTS<\/p>\n

While this year\u2019s draft pool for some isn\u2019t as deep as last year\u2019s, the top of the class is tantalising.<\/p>\n

The consensus among sources spoken to by foxfooty.com.au is that Oakleigh Chargers ball magnet Chloe Bown is the No. 1 open pool prospect. One source said Bown was a \u201cpretty clear standout\u201d.<\/p>\n

A consistent, reliable on-baller with an incredible work ethic and ability to kick well on both feet, Bown had a near perfect draft year. She was crowned the best and fairest player of 2025 national championships and selected as All-Australian captain after steering Victoria Metro to back-to-back title wins. Her season was book-ended by a best on ground medal when representing the Australia Under 18 team against the All Stars in April and the Coates Talent League best and fairest award in September after averaging 29 disposals and six tackles per game.<\/p>\n

Chloe Bown of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n

It\u2019s understood multiple clubs are keen to get their hands on Pick 1 to give them first access to a player of Bown\u2019s quality.<\/p>\n

The other top open pool prospect is WA star\ufeff Olivia Wolmarans \u2014 an athletic and versatile 180cm goalkicker who was named at centre half-forward in this year\u2019s Under 18 All-Australian team. Multiple sources linked Wolmarans to the Giants \u2014 who hold Picks 2 and 3 in the draft \u2014 as well as a potential bid on Sydney-tied prospect Neyland, indicating the club\u2019s desire to draft a tall.<\/p>\n

Another WA player expected to be taken early is exciting 173cm Peel Thunder intercept defender Evie Cowcher. Despite Cowcher being sidelined for a lot of her draft year due to back stress fractures, clubs have remained enamoured by her elite previous two seasons, which saw her win two WA MVP awards, two Under 18 All-Australian selections and the 2023 WAFLW Rising Star award.<\/p>\n

Calder Cannons ball magnet Chloe Baker-West is another prospect expected to feature in the initial stages of this month\u2019s draft. A prodigious ball-winner, she\u2019s racked up some big numbers in the Coates Talent League over the past three seasons, leading to a spot in the comp\u2019s Team of the Year in September.<\/p>\n

One intriguing prospect is Priya Bowering \u2013 a strong, clean and powerful and midfielder who\u2019s Tasmania\u2019s top hope this year. Bowering starred for the Allies in the Under 18 national championships, winning the side\u2019s MVP award and being named on the wing in the All-Australian team, before being picked in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. She looms as a top-10 prospect, but whether the Lauderdale product is taken that early by one of the 18 clubs \u2013 considering Tasmania\u2019s slated 2028 entry into the AFLW competition \u2013 remains to be seen.<\/p>\n

Priya Bowering of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Eastern Ranges duo Jordyn Allen \u2013 coincidentally a similar type of rebounding defender to namesake Jordyn Allen at Collingwood \u2013 and Tayla McMillan are looming as first-round contenders. Some scouts rate midfielder McMillan as a top-five prospect due to her pure football ability, while others have her towards the back-end of the first round.<\/p>\n

Northern Knights utility Scarlett Johnson, GWV Rebels powerful midfielder Maggie Johnstone and WA pair Mia Russo and Olivia Crane are other names to watch.<\/p>\n

The 2025 AFLW draft will be held on Monday December 15 and will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Footy, via Foxtel (Channel 504) and Kayo Sports.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Kangaroos are back-to-back premiers. 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