No trade deal for AFLW star

AFLW star Tayla Harris has a big decision to make after a last ditch bid to get to Hawthorn from Melbourne fell over before the trade deadline closed at 4pm on Wednesday.

Harris, who only played one game in 2024 after injuring her shoulder in the opening round, was the biggest name up for grabs and the Hawks had made several bids to try and lure the 27-year-old to her third club.

But while seven players found new homes on the final day, Harris, a four-time All-Australian, was not one of them.

She had a contract offer on the table to remain at the Demons, but could also baulk at the offer and opt to enter the draft which will be held next week.

Several offers came from the Hawks, who had been unwilling to part with pick 14 for Harris, and despite interest from other clubs, her future, for now, remains unclear.

But while Harris didn’t move, a swag of other deals were done on the final day of trading including:

-Dual all-Australian Eilish Sheerin’s move from Richmond to premiers North Melbourne for a late first-round pick, number 18, was ticked off by the league despite frustration from rival clubs that the Kangaroos are only getting stronger.

- A three-club deal was struck to send inaugural Giant Nicola Barr to St Kilda and Grace Kelly join her sister, Niamh at the Crows.

- Sydney defender Ella Heads joined Port Adelaide as part of a four-club deal including the Swans, Port, Essendon and the Brisbane Lions. Port acquired Heads and draft picks, while Bomber Ashleigh Van Loon, as well as pick 51, was sent to the Swans, Essendon and the Lions improved their draft hand with pics as part of the deal.

- Lulu Pullar was traded from North Melbourne to Sydney, with picks 49 and 51 going back to the Kangaroos, after Pullar requested a trade.

- Fremantle traded Airlie Runnalls to Collingwood for pick 45, and Ariana Hetherington to the Kangaroos for pick 51.

- Essendon traded forward Amber Clarke to St Kilda for pick No.8 in the draft.

The 2024 AFLW draft will be held on Monday, December 16, with Collingwood boasting the No.1 pick.