Cats trade picks to strengthen position in AFLW draft

GEELONG’S AFLW side has strengthened its position in this year’s draft after agreeing to swap several selections with Melbourne.
The Cats will receive picks 10, 20, 27 and 39 in exchange for picks 5, 35 and a fourth round pick.
With Geelong also holding selection 21, the Cats now have four picks inside the top 27.
“We believe we have strengthened our position heading into the upcoming draft,” Geelong AFLW operations and recruiting manager Ben Waller said.
“Obviously this draft has presented a number of challenges, but we are very excited by the level of talent that was on show last year and the early part of this year.”
The Cats have some spots to fill, including a replacement for defender Anna Teague, who announced on Monday this week she was retiring due to injuries.
Teague played basketball in the WNBL before joining the Cats’ VFL side. She was drafted by Melbourne and played four AFLW game there before coming back to Geelong and playing another nine games.
Geelong captain Melissa Hickey announced her retirement in March after 25 games, 12 of them with the Cats.
The 2020 AFLW season was heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with the Cats playing only six of the scheduled eight games for two wins and four losses and missing the finals, which were eventually called off after the semi-finals. Olivia Purcell was named Geelong’s best and fairest and was also selected in the 2020 AFLW All Australian side.
The signing and trade period began on August 3, with the trade period closing on Wednesday last week.
The re-signing and restricted free agent period closed on Monday this week.
Tomorrow (Friday, August 21) will be a frantic day of activity, with the delisted free agent period closing at 2pm, the third list lodgement at 4pm, and the confirmation of the AFLW draft order.
The 2021 AFLW season is scheduled to start on the week of February 1, 2021.