Geelong Cats today finalised a deal to trade defender Annabel Johnson to West Coast, with the Club involved in a three-way trade between Brisbane Lions and West Coast Eagles.
The Cats receive midfielder Bella Smith from the Lions along with pick 32 and 41 in the trade. Johnson will head west to the Eagles along with pick 24 with the Lions receiving Eleanor Hartill, Shanae Davison and picks 36 and 57 in next week’s AFLW Draft.
Johnson departs after playing 16 games in the Hoops, having been selected with pick 15 in the 2021 AFLW Draft, averaging 10 disposals, three marks, and two tackles a game in her time at the Club.
An emerging midfielder, Smith was drafted to the Lions with Pick 35 in the 2021 AFLW Draft from the Brisbane Lions Academy / Maroochydore and joins the Cats after an injury-interrupted first couple of seasons in Brisbane.
“Annabel is a quality person who has been committed to our football program and emerging team culture and we wish her all the best in her career,” Geelong Cats Assistant General Manager – Football Brett Johnson said.
“While we are disappointed to lose Annabel, it has provided us the chance to bring in Bella from the Lions, an emerging talent from Brisbane who we think can add to our depth and core group of young emerging players.
“We now shift our focus to the upcoming AFLW Draft, with the prospect of welcoming new players to our club and strengthening our list ahead of 2024.”
The Cats hold picks 17, 32, 41 and 75 ahead of Monday’s 2023 AFLW Draft.
