MELBOURNE has secured Carlton forward/midfielder Bianca Jakobsson in the AFLW sign/trade period. 

The 24-year-old played seven games and kicked four goals for the Blues in the 2017 NAB AFL Women’s season after being selected with Carlton’s first pick in the inaugural AFL Women’s draft. 

Originally from Cranbourne, Jakobsson has previously played for Melbourne in the AFL Women’s exhibition series. 

Melbourne’s women’s football operations manager Debbie Lee said she was thrilled to have Jakobsson in the red and blue for season 2018.


Melbourne has secured Carlton forward/midfielder Bianca Jakobsson in the AFLW sign/trade period (Photo: Matthew Goodrope)

“We’ve been interested in “BJ” since she played here during the exhibition series so to have her return to the club is really exciting,” said Lee. 

“We know what type of character she is and she has great football attributes.”

Lee said Jakobsson was an elite talent who would bring plenty of versatility to Melbourne. 

“Bianca will really fit into our game style,” she said. 

“She’s a tall forward who can also go into the midfield, she also adds versatility to our team structures.”

“She’s very athletic, she has speed, she has a bit of height and can take a good grab up forward so we’re really delighted to have her as part of our team.”

In acquiring Jakobsson, Melbourne has traded young forward Deanna Berry to the Western Bulldogs in exchange for pick 12, which was then on-traded to Carlton to secure Jakobsson. 

In other AFLW sign/trade news, Melbourne ruck Maddie Boyd will join the GWS Giants after being traded in exchange for pick 33 in the 2018 NAB AFL Women’s Competition Draft.

Boyd is the second Melbourne player to join the Giants following young key defender Pepa Randall, who was earlier traded to GWS in exchange for midfielder Ashleigh Guest.