MELBOURNE has continued its AFLW Sign and Trade Period activity by adding to its draft stocks, in a deal that sees two Demons depart for West Coast.
The trade, which was agreed to on Thursday, sees Melbourne acquire the 26th selection in the Victorian Draft (national pick No.50), in exchange for Krstel Petrevski and Isabella Simmons.
The Dees will also part with national pick No. 77 in the exchange.
Petrevski, who hails from Halls Creek, expressed her interest to return home earlier this month, with the club working to achieve an outcome of mutual benefit.
The 21-year-old joined the Demons during the 2019 AFL Women’s Draft and went on to play four games in the red and blue.
For Simmons, an injury-interrupted year, where she was placed on the club’s inactive list due to a foot concern, halted the chance of a senior debut.
She made a return to footy with Casey midway through the VFLW season and has been a regular feature in the games since.
AFLW list manager Todd Patterson thanked both players for their contributions to the club.
“It’s always sad when players depart, but both Krstel and Isabella have been provided fantastic opportunities to progress their career in a new environment,” he said.
“As previously noted, Krstel has been a fantastic person in our program and a real leader in educating us around her Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture, and we wish her nothing but the best moving forward.
“Unfortunately, Isabella didn’t get a run at it this year, following a strong initial development year in the program.
“She did a great job getting back from her foot injury and her VFLW form was pleasing to this point. We wish her well in pursuing this new opportunity.”
Melbourne now holds national selections 50, 51 and 59, ahead of next month’s AFL Women’s Draft.
“We will continue to assess some other options over the next week, and look forward to hitting this year’s Draft,” Patterson said.
The deal also follows some earlier player movement for the Dees, where defender Brenna Tarrant signed with expansion club Sydney.
The 20-year-old, who is returning to her home state, played 15 games across three seasons, with the club previously thanking her for her services.
