Dual reigning AFLW premiers North Melbourne are confident they can still secure Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, despite being unable to trade in the former No.1 draft pick.
After going through two consecutive seasons unbeaten, and currently on a record 27-game winning streak, the Kangaroos were trying to prise the young forward from the Western Bulldogs.
But North were unable to satisfy the Bulldogs in a trade before Wednesday's deadline, with Weston-Turner to try her luck in the draft on Monday night in a bid to get to Arden St.
The Kangaroos' first pick in the draft stands at No.37, and could be pushed back further depending on bids.
Weston-Turner is sure to receive intense interest from other clubs who will have selections in the draft before the Kangaroos do.
Brisbane and Hawthorn floated their interest in Weston-Turner, before North were locked in as her desired destination.
"Obviously the draft is a draft, but we're confident that we'll be walking out Monday night with Weston-Turner as a North Melbourne player," Kangaroos list manager Flynn Loft said.
"Erin (Lorenzini) our GM has, and a few others will reach out to her (Weston-Turner).
"We're also mindful it's a pretty emotional time for her, but we're trying to keep as upbeat as possible."
Weston-Turner only managed one senior game this season, for eight overall in the AFLW, as the Bulldogs finished 12th for a second straight year.
The 20-year-old, who grew up supporting the Bulldogs, was taken with pick No.1 in the 2023 draft after a dominant under-18s campaign.
The Bulldogs offered a two-year deal to remain at the Whitten Oval, but Weston-Turner is adamant on joining North.
"It's a real shame for Westo," AFLW list manager Dan Fisher said.
"We really feel for her. We were open and willing to do a deal. Unfortunately at no point in time was there anything that North Melbourne offered that we were willing or really able to do.
"They offered a host of late picks, the best of which was number 37, and it just wasn't something we were able to do."
Despite losing Weston-Turner, the Bulldogs were able to secure midfielder Mikala Cann, who played 76 games for Collingwood.
Earlier, dual Brisbane Lions premiership forward Taylor Smith became the first player traded on deadline day when she joined Sydney.
Smith, the league's equal leading goalkicker in 2024, got her wish to head to the Swans on Wednesday courtesy of a complicated three-club deal that also involved Hawthorn.
The 25-year-old, who played one game for Gold Coast, made 76 appearances for the Lions after joining them in 2021.
Smith played in the club's 2021 and 2023 premierships and was named All-Australian in 2024.
Sydney are still looking for a new coach, after parting ways with Scott Gowans when the Swans blew an opportunity to make this year's finals.
Smith joins Ellie Hampson (Port Adelaide) and Poppy Boltz (GWS) in exiting the Lions after their grand final thumping at the hands of the Kangaroos last month.
Carlton young gun Mia Austin was traded to Melbourne, with the Blues getting a future second- and third-round selection in return.
Key Adelaide defender Zoe Prowse is on the move to Essendon, with the Bombers giving up picks 13 and 60, and a future third-rounder.
The Crows also lost midfielder Brooke Boileau to Carlton, in return for a first-round pick.
Adelaide had a busy trade period, moving on triple premiership star Anne Hatchard to Gold Coast on Sunday.
Hawthorn farewelled their inaugural AFLW captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd, who was traded to GWS after four seasons.
It will be Lucas-Rodd's fourth club after also previously playing for Carlton and St Kilda.
