A DRAMATIC day of dealings brought the AFLW trade period to a close on Wednesday, with 15 players finding new homes. A number of deals went down to the wire, and while middle ground was found for the most part, the high profile Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner trade was left on the table.

>> AFLW TRADES: Day 1 | Day 2 | Days 3-4 | Day 5 | Day 6
>> WHAT THEY SAID: 2025 AFLW trade deadline day quotes

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10

Richmond bolsters midfield as Dana heads East

Richmond receives: Dana East, pick 63, and a 2026 third-round pick (Fremantle)
Fremantle receives: Pick 40, a 2026 third-round pick (Gold Coast), and a 2026 fourth-round pick (North Melbourne)

Richmond identified several list needs to address via the trade period, midfield depth being one. The acquisition of East is a massive tick in that box, offering readymade support on the inside to compliment the likes of Mon Conti and Ellie McKenzie. List and Recruiting Manager Trent Moseby says the Tigers were “blown away by [her] character” after engaging around six weeks ago.

Giants get the nod on Lucas-Rodd

GWS receives: Tilly Lucas-Rodd and a 2026 fourth-round pick (Hawthorn)
Hawthorn receives: A 2026 second-round pick (Brisbane), a 2026 second-round pick (GWS), and a 2026 third-round pick (GWS)

On top of heading into the draft with picks two and three, GWS sought to add experience to its list and has done so in acquiring the former Hawthorn captain. Lucas-Rodd has 90 games under their belt and came at a relatively cheap cost of three future selections, with one coming back the Giants’ way. It took until the last minute of the trade period, but the Giants were stoked nonetheless.

Young guns trade places to complete homecomings

Port Adelaide receives: Lucy Boyd, pick 30, and a 2026 third-round pick (West Coast)
West Coast receives: Lily Paterson, pick 36, and a 2026 fourth-round pick (Brisbane)

A player trade which came seemingly out of nowhere saw a couple of youngsters return to their home states. 172cm utility Boyd heads back to South Australia after playing two games for West Coast, while Paterson adds to the Eagles’ midfield depth having managed a handful of games at the Power. Picks were also exchanged, seeing Port bump up six places to pick 30 while also upgrading for next year.

Hawks cover Niamh for speed

Hawthorn receives: Niamh Martin
North Melbourne receives: A 2026 second-round pick (Sydney), and a 2026 third-round pick (Port Adelaide)

Already renowned for its Irish talent, Hawthorn added another in Martin. The speedy forward departs North Melbourne after a year spent on the inactive list having fulfilled study commitments back in Ireland. She comes with 16 AFLW games under her belt, costing the Hawks two future selections as North Melbourne feels the pinch of its depth players seeking greater opportunities.

Roos top up ruck stocks

North Melbourne receives: Maddison Torpey
Carlton receives: A 2026 fifth-round pick (North Melbourne)

With Ariana Hetherington heading to Collingwood, North Melbourne topped up its ruck division with the coup of young Carlton tall, Torpey. The 20-year-old stands at 184cm and broke through for her AFLW debut with the Blues this season, showcasing plenty of upside. Both the Roos and Blues noted her potential when discussing the trade after the fact.

Three-club trade hits the Boil

Carlton receives: Brooke Boileau
Adelaide receives: Pick 17 and a 2026 third-round pick (North Melbourne)
Brisbane receives: A 2026 second-round pick (Adelaide), and a 2026 second-round pick (Fremantle)

One of a few three-club trades to go down on deadline day granted Boileau her wish of landing at Carlton. The South Australian midfielder was seeking greater opportunities despite Adelaide’s view that she was given a fair run, and only cost the Blues future picks tied to other clubs. Carlton had tracked Boileau since her draft year and value her power at the stoppage, as well as her ability to go forward.

Lily-Rose roars into Lions den

Brisbane receives: Lily-Rose Williamson, pick 17, and a 2026 second-round pick (Collingwood)
Collingwood receives: Pick 15, pick 29, and pick 47

Williamson was at the centre of a less-than-straightforward trade between the Lions and Pies, ultimately landing in Queensland. The powerful youngster is a prospect Brisbane is keen on eventually unleashing in midfield, having been impressed by her ability to fight back up to AFLW level having previously been cut by Essendon. The Pies were able to bump their pick 17 ahead of Carlton, up to pick 15, while Brisbane cast an eye to the future in bolstering its future stocks with a strong academy crop incoming.

Saints supply key forward support

St Kilda receives: Sophie Butterworth and pick 87
Hawthorn receives: Pick 67 and a 2026 fourth-round pick (St Kilda)

Jesse Wardlaw would have been just as happy as the Saints’ recruiters in seeing fellow key forward Butterworth arrive on deadline day. The 20-year-old stands at an imposing 181cm and offers marking support inside 50 on the back of her six AFLW games in the brown and gold. Butterworth is a relative local, too, having been recruited out of the Dandenong Stingrays region.

Austin on the move

Melbourne receives: Mia Austin
Carlton receives: A 2026 second-round pick (Fremantle), and a 2026 third-round pick (Melbourne)

Carlton’s age profile adjustment meant Austin was among those told to look elsewhere, and Melbourne came knocking. The Dees have already had success with another tall forward crossing from Carlton in Tayla Harris, so add another mobile marking type with plenty of upside. The 21-year-old has played 30 AFLW games having been selected with pick 18 in 2022.

Essendon picks up Prowse

Essendon receives: Zoe Prowse, pick 50, and a 2026 fourth-round pick (Adelaide)
Adelaide receives: Pick 13, pick 60, and a 2026 third-round pick (Essendon)

Prowse found her way to Essendon having been in constant communication with Adelaide seeking greater opportunities, and eventually got her wish. The Crows strengthened their first round hand in the process, with the versatile 177cm defender showcasing plenty of potential in her 33-game career. Her aerial strength and defensive nous should bolster the Bombers’ backline to no end.

Cann puts the ‘Bull’ in Bulldogs

Western Bulldogs receive: Mikala Cann
Collingwood receives: Pick 17 and pick 26
Gold Coast receives: Pick 23 and a 2026 third-round pick (Western Bulldogs)

The player nicknamed ‘Bull’ fittingly ended up at the Bulldogs as part of a three-club mega trade. Cann
has played 76 games since being drafted with pick 13 in 2018, becoming a staple in the Magpies’ midfield. Her dogged competitiveness and work rate suit what the Bulldogs were looking to add to their engine room. Collingwood bolstered its 2025 draft hand, largely thanks to Gold Coast’s contribution.

Magpies add even more height

Collingwood receives: Ariana Hetherington
North Melbourne receives: A 2026 third-round pick (Collingwood)

Collingwood has targeted athleticism and height via several different avenues during the offseason, and continued along that path with the acquisition of Hethertington. The 179cm utility can play in every key position post, so adds a great deal of flexibility to the Pies’ tall stocks. That versatility and a competitive streak are among the factors which had Collingwood interested in the 26-year-old.

Hawks add forward firepower

Hawthorn receives: Jacqui Dupuy
Gold Coast receives: A 2026 third-round pick (Brisbane)

One of two players set to run out for their 50th AFLW game at a new club, Dupuy heads to Hawthorn after five seasons at the Suns. The 31-year-old key forward offers experience to a young and exciting list, complimenting her leadership skills with strong aerial ability. She came at a relatively low cost, with the Suns receiving a future third-round selection in return.

Mega trade kicks off deadline day

Sydney receives: Taylor Smith, pick 18, pick 28, and pick 46
Brisbane receives: Pick 11, pick 15, pick 29, pick 33, pick 47
Hawthorn receives: A 2026 first round pick (Sydney), a 2026 third round pick (Brisbane), a 2026 third round pick (Port Adelaide), and a 2026 third round pick (Sydney)

What better way to kick off deadline day than a three-club mega deal. It allowed Sydney to land a two-time premiership forward in Smith, who ticks off an immediate list need. She led the AFLW’s goalkicking in an All-Australian season last year, and boasts a tally of 67 majors in 77 overall games. The deal allowed Brisbane to stock up on current picks and facilitate the Williamson trade, while Hawthorn brought in a raft of future selections which helped get their subsequent deals over the line.