Three Western Bulldogs players are reportedly being circled by rival clubs as the AFLW season draws to a close and the speculated start date of the trade period nears.
The Bulldogs, who finished the season in 7th position, are at risk of being without captain Ellie Blackburn, Kirsty Lamb and Bonnie Toogood in season seven of the AFLW competition, with all three reportedly weighing up interest from rival clubs.
Blackburn, who debuted for the Bulldogs in 2017 and has captained the side since 2019, is being pursued by new expansion club Sydney, per reports from Womens.afl.
The 27-year-old two-time best and fairest played all ten games in 2022, averaging 20.1 disposals and 4.3 tackles.
leads out the team during the round seven AFLW match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Western Bulldogs at on March 13, 2021 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the struggling Saints are showing interest in star midfielder Lamb, seeking to add more depth and experience into the second-last placed side. Lamb, who enjoyed a career best season in 2022, averaged 18.7 disposals and 3.4 tackles per game.
Toogood, who kicked 10 goals for the Bulldogs this season, is attracting interest from Hawthorn as they seek to build their inaugural team, having already signed Sophie Locke, Bridget Deed and Zoe Barbakos.
The young forward has proved her worth inside 50 in the first 37 games of her career, kicking 29 goals. The 24-year-old joined Blackburn and Lamb in being named in the 40-woman All Australian squad earlier in the week.
Clubs around the league are bracing to be hit by the consequences of four new expansion teams joining the competition. Like the Bulldogs, many are expecting to lose developed talent as these new clubs build their inaugural lists. The AFLW is yet to confirm if clubs will be awarded compensation should they lose players to expansion teams.
