Echuca AFLW export Annabel Johnson is heading west, with the West Coast Eagles landing her services in a three-way trade on the penultimate day of the trade period.
The 23-year-old requested a trade to the Eagles on Tuesday and a deal was completed on Wednesday afternoon, with Geelong and Brisbane helping to facilitate the move.
Shanae Davison and Eleanor Harthill will head to season eight premier Brisbane from the Eagles, while the Cats receive midfielder Bella Smith from the Lions and pick 32 and 41 in the trade.
West Coast gained the services of Johnson, as well as Brisbane’s pick 24 in the AFLW draft.
West Coast AFLW list manager Jordan Loxley said the club was excited to welcome the talented Johnson to the club, with her ability to read the play a quality that will see her excel at the Eagles.
“Bel is a small defender who disappointingly missed most of the season through injury,” Loxley said.
“She is a real competitor who has wonderful vision in traffic and reads the ball coming into the backline exceptionally well.
“She is a great person who is going to fit into this tight playing group really well.”
Roxy Roux and Alison Drennan have also joined the Eagles during the trade period from Fremantle and Gold Coast, respectively, as the club looks to refresh its playing list.
Johnson should slot straight into the Eagles’ line-up as the club looks to build its 2-8 record from this season.
The Echuca export arrives at the club in the same week Melbourne AFLW premiership captain and three-time All-Australian Daisy Pearce who was announced as the new head coach of the struggling side on Monday following the departure of Michael Prior.
With selections 2, 23, 24, 42 and 62 ahead of the AFLW draft on Monday, the Eagles will look to strengthen their squad with young talent as they aim to qualify for finals for the first time in the club’s history next season.
Johnson spent three seasons with Geelong, having been picked with the 15th selection in the 2021 AFLW draft, playing 16 games for the Cats since debuting in season six, averaging 10 disposals, three marks and two tackles a game.
An emerging defender, Johnson made the extended ‘22under22’ squad after playing every game in season seven, although was hampered by a knee injury this season, managing just one game.
Johnson’s arrival out west adds to the local flavour at the club, with Echuca’s Noah Long impressing in his first season at West Coast this year, while Tongala’s Harley Reid was taken with the first selection by the Eagles in this year’s AFL draft.