The AFLW Trade Period has closed for another season with the SUNS playing an influential role across the six-day period.
A host of draft picks changed hands with the SUNS strengthening its suite of selections, while also welcoming a new face with four-time All Australian Anne Hatchard bound for the Gold Coast.
The SUNS also farewelled several players with Lauren Bella (Carlton), Claudia Whitfort (Carlton) and Jac Dupuy (Hawthorn) all departing the club.
Heading into the Trade Period, which is closely followed by the Telstra AFLW Draft this coming Monday night, SUNS AFLW Recruitment Officer Thomas Waldron told AFL.com.au that the club’s strategy was centred around placing itself in a strong draft position whilst complementing a young cohort with experienced players.
It required making tough decisions on several players, with the ability to exchange future picks for the first time in the AFLW playing a role as well.
"We plan a long way in advance to do things like this. This draft crop has obviously been coming through for three, four years. We've had our eye on it, plus we've given up a full suite of picks next year," Waldron said.
"We've also had to make some tough decisions on several great servants of our club, who have done great things for our footy club and they're all quality players. We've had to do a fair bit of work to be in the position we are in heading into the draft.
“When a player of Anne's capability and stature in the game became available, we did everything we could to make it happen. So we are pretty excited to have her join our footy club, and we think she'll be able to play a key role in helping our young squad.”
The SUNS hold picks 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 32 in Monday night’s Telstra AFLW Draft, which will be broadcast live nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo from 6:00pm AEST.
TRADE PERIOD SUMMARY
Gold Coast SUNS 2025 draft selections: 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 32
Gold Coast SUNS 2026 draft selections: 2nd round pick (tied to North Melbourne), 3rd round pick (tied to Brisbane Lions), 3rd round pick (tied to Western Bulldogs), 4th round pick
Trade 1 – Richmond
SUNS send: Pick 1, Pick 56, 2026 3rd round pick
SUNS receive: Pick 4, Pick 22
Trade 2 – Carlton
SUNS send: Lauren Bella, Claudia Whitfort
SUNS receive: Pick 19, 2026 2nd round selection (tied to North Melbourne)
Trade 3 – Adelaide
SUNS send: Pick 4, Pick 38, 2026 1st round selection
SUNS receive: Anne Hatchard, Pick 14, Pick 21, Pick 32
Trade 4 – Melbourne
SUNS send: Pick 14, 2026 2nd round selection
SUNS receive: Pick 17, Pick 27
Trade 5 – Hawthorn
SUNS send: Jac Dupuy
SUNS receive: 2026 3rd round selection (tied to Brisbane)
Trade 6 – Western Bulldogs & Collingwood
SUNS send: Pick 23 (via Collingwood), 2026 3rd round selection (tied to Western Bulldogs)
SUNS receive: Pick 17 (to Collingwood)
