Geelong has secured the services of young West Coast star Mikayla Bowen in a trade that will send national pick 24 (previously Victorian pick 12) to the Eagles.

The 21-year-old midfielder has played 25 AFLW games, averaging 13 disposals and 5 tackles a game, and was the Eagles’ first official signing to their AFLW list.

Bowen also had an impressive junior career, captaining the Western Australia side in the 2019 NAB AFLW Championships, where she claimed WA’s best and fairest award, and earned All-Australian honours.

Bowen was nominated for the 2021 AFLW Rising Star award, the same year she made the initial 2021 All-Australian squad.

“We’re very excited to welcome Mikayla to Geelong, and believe she will further strengthen our speed and polish in our deepening midfield and forward line,” Geelong Cats Head of AFLW and Pathways Brett Johnson said.

“Mikayla has great leadership qualities, and her work rate and running capacity will fit in well with our group, and assist us as we look to continue to build on the foundations we put in place in Season 6.”

Cats AFLW Sign & Trade Period Update

Day 1: Traded Stephanie Williams to Richmond in exchange for Ingrid Houtsma

Day 3: Traded Jordan Ivey and Victorian pick 26 (national pick 51) to Melbourne in exchange for Jacqueline Parry and Shelley Scott

Day 4: VFLW-listed Paige Sheppard signs with expansion club Sydney

Traded Phoebe McWilliams and Victorian pick 8 (national pick 17) to Carlton for Victorian picks 10 (national pick 21) and 23 (national pick 42).

Traded Olivia Barber to Collingwood for Victorian pick 18 (national pick 33)

Day 7: Traded Millie Brown and Victorian pick 10 (national pick 21) to Western Bulldogs for picks 12 and 29 (national picks 24 and 56)

Traded national pick 24 (previously Victorian pick 12) to West Coast Eagles in exchange for Mikayla Bowen