Six-club mega deal floated as stars eye new homes

A POTENTIAL six-club deal has been mooted to unlock blockbuster AFLW trades for Tayla Harris, Lily Mithen and a handful of other players, with the League's Trade Period officially opening on Thursday.

Harris is yet to formally request a trade away from Melbourne but has a clear preference to get to Hawthorn, despite interest from Collingwood, while Mithen is understood to be open to joining Gold Coast.

The Demons would subsequently land the coveted No.2 pick (from the Suns) and multiple top 10 selections, while the Crows and the Kangas would shuffle up the draft order with their first-round picks.

However, the six-club deal hinges on whether Hawthorn would be willing to part with pick No.14 as part of a trade for Harris and Allen, with the likelihood still being that the deals are broken up independently.

Melbourne has separately been shopping its No.10 selection to rival clubs as part of potential pick swap deals as a contingency plan, should a move taking Harris to Hawthorn fall over.

A trade taking Mithen to Gold Coast appears a formality regardless of whether it's completed as part of the mega trade or independently, with Melbourne considered a certainty to ultimately land the No.2 pick as part of the move.

  On 04/12/2024 at 23:24, BDA said:

Tayla Harris is a gun and should not be traded under any circumstances. Our young talls showed great promise, our future is secure, but they are still callow.
 

If we want to challenge in the next 2 years we have got to hold onto her.  We have enough young players on our list there is no need to trade her. 

If we kept Harris we'd probably lose Georgia Gall and right now I think the time is right to keep Gall with the offer of a good contract and more game time and let Tayla walk. She'll do well for the Hawks for a year or two before probably falling away.

We've still got Zanker and Bannan for experienced talls (or at least experienced for AFLW) as well as Gall, Georgia Campbell and I hope Aimee Mackin is back in 2025 for another quality medium forward.

Tayla has poor discipline as she so often gives away cheap free kicks and poor commitment. She continues to prioritise boxing and other interests over her footy preparation. We got the best out of her and a flag, but I'm not disappointed at all that we are moving on even if it signals the list is in a rebuild.

  On 05/12/2024 at 02:48, Mickey said:

Six-club mega deal floated as stars eye new homes

Mega deal that would make sen salivate (if they covered aflw properly)

  On 04/12/2024 at 23:53, Supermercado said:

I'm not remotely across the AFLW salaries but if you're an established player who isn't making bonus endorsement money like Harris what's the attraction to shifting states for a half year commitment? Good luck to her if she goes but I don't understand why unless there's a ridiculous contract and/or promises of a key leadership role.

We must be on world record pace for breakup of a premiership team.

AFLW players are paid in tiers. For 2025

Tier 1 (2 players) 110k
Tier 2 (6 players) 89k
Tier 3 (6 players) 76k 
Tier 4 (16 players) 67k

We'd be struggling to fit Lil in to tier 3, where as she'd probably be tier 2 at the Suns. Potentially 22k which is worth moving for.

Her podcasts with the club seemed to fizzle out but I imagine GC would have some way to get her some extra cash there. Plus perhaps a more permanent on ball role to develop her footy too?

Hate to lose her but I think many of our core group sacrificed a lot longer than just about any other team and then once 4 of them left last year others have seen the writing on the wall. 

We need to retain Lily Johnson for a few years, as she is the belle of Judd McVee's life, atm.

  On 05/12/2024 at 03:26, DeeSpencer said:

AFLW players are paid in tiers. For 2025

Tier 1 (2 players) 110k
Tier 2 (6 players) 89k
Tier 3 (6 players) 76k 
Tier 4 (16 players) 67k

We'd be struggling to fit Lil in to tier 3, where as she'd probably be tier 2 at the Suns. Potentially 22k which is worth moving for.

Her podcasts with the club seemed to fizzle out but I imagine GC would have some way to get her some extra cash there. Plus perhaps a more permanent on ball role to develop her footy too?

Hate to lose her but I think many of our core group sacrificed a lot longer than just about any other team and then once 4 of them left last year others have seen the writing on the wall. 

Thank you, it makes more sense if the salaries are banded rather than a free-for-all as long as you fit inside the cap.

  On 04/12/2024 at 23:53, Katrina Dee Fan said:

There were a lot of misconceptions about her departure from Carlton, which I had a long conversation with both her and her mother about a couple of years ago.  She didn't want to leave Carlton, she was delisted.  She also told me the figure being quoted in the media about what she was demanding was not remotely true.  She came to Melbourne at the lowest pay rate available, by her own choice, and opted to focus purely on her football.  Her first season at Melbourne saw her as the second highest goal kicker in the league and finished second in the club best and fairest behind Daisy Pearce.  Her second season saw her playing more a ruck/midfield role, so less goal scoring opportunities, yet, she kicked the winning goal in the grand final.  Her mother told me that if it was up to her, she would have stayed with Melbourne after the exhibition games, but in Lisa's words, it was Tayla's choice, and ultimately she was happy she was at Melbourne.  I don't think it would be Tayla's choice to leave Melbourne, I'd say it's possibly Melbourne exploring possible trades.  Which disappoints me somewhat, if true.  But then nothing official has come from either Melbourne or Tayla, and I take the media speculation with a grain of salt.

Thanks for writing this. I'll admit that my perception of her was misinformed before she came to the Dees, not that I was a hater or anything, but the media had shaped my perception wrongly. I did always admire her stance on the online harassment stuff though. In fact, seeing her actual personality type has made all that more impressive if anything. One thing I've never doubted is that she has particular skills in the game that few players in the league have.

Even if she's traded out now, bringing her in was a huge win for us and I hope Tayla would still say it was for her too.

Tayla has more to offer the game. I can see us wanting to move on to Gall and Campbell. And trying to get her to a competitor for the flag. 

But if we don’t get value for her and she is happy to stay - Georgia’s - beat Tayla into the side. Footy and internal competition is not a dirty word - Tayla brings hardness and selflessness and drive. Be better than her at those things and you will play footy.

As for Lily - no brainer for ND2. She is a demon through and through but she has not kicked on and that deal is not something you pass up.
 

  On 04/12/2024 at 22:23, BangBnagBang said:

Bris and Adel had the huge advantage of both being the first teams in their state and also being able to have the pick of half the state in drafts. While the likes of Melb  had the pick of 1/9 of Vic players. Now the state based draft has gone this will bring Adel and Bris back to a level playing field, hopefully.

Yes, those state only based drafts really setup up the crows and lions to start with. With the increase in pay in makes sense will not have to move to any club on the draft.

  On 05/12/2024 at 09:26, Dees_In_October said:

Thanks for writing this. I'll admit that my perception of her was misinformed before she came to the Dees, not that I was a hater or anything, but the media had shaped my perception wrongly. I did always admire her stance on the online harassment stuff though. In fact, seeing her actual personality type has made all that more impressive if anything. One thing I've never doubted is that she has particular skills in the game that few players in the league have.

Even if she's traded out now, bringing her in was a huge win for us and I hope Tayla would still say it was for her too.

It wasn't just the media that painted the misconceptions, primarily they came from Carlton.  They stated to the media she wanted to leave to chase money, which was not the case, she found out from her manager while she was visiting family in Brisbane that they weren't going to offer her a new contract, which left her devastated. She was actually in tears on the documentary when she was describing how their misrepresentation of her made her feel like her integrity was being wrongly portrayed. I don't think she has a lot of regard for Hartford, to be honest.

  On 05/12/2024 at 22:51, Katrina Dee Fan said:

It wasn't just the media that painted the misconceptions, primarily they came from Carlton.  They stated to the media she wanted to leave to chase money, which was not the case, she found out from her manager while she was visiting family in Brisbane that they weren't going to offer her a new contract, which left her devastated. She was actually in tears on the documentary when she was describing how their misrepresentation of her made her feel like her integrity was being wrongly portrayed. I don't think she has a lot of regard for Hartford, to be honest.  

Tayla in person is not a big personality, she's actually pretty quiet and shy.  I think in a lot of ways she's been very unfairly portrayed.

 

  On 05/12/2024 at 22:51, Katrina Dee Fan said:

It wasn't just the media that painted the misconceptions, primarily they came from Carlton.  They stated to the media she wanted to leave to chase money, which was not the case, she found out from her manager while she was visiting family in Brisbane that they weren't going to offer her a new contract, which left her devastated. She was actually in tears on the documentary when she was describing how their misrepresentation of her made her feel like her integrity was being wrongly portrayed. I don't think she has a lot of regard for Hartford, to be honest.

that's carlton for you. typical ordinary behaviour from them.

Love that Lily is an original. Love that she came to us despite having connections and offers from the Cats. Love that she has never taken a backward step on the field. However pick #2 for her seems like a ridiculously one sided offer - in favour of us. We would be mad not to take it. 

  On 05/12/2024 at 22:51, Katrina Dee Fan said:

It wasn't just the media that painted the misconceptions, primarily they came from Carlton.  They stated to the media she wanted to leave to chase money, which was not the case, she found out from her manager while she was visiting family in Brisbane that they weren't going to offer her a new contract, which left her devastated. She was actually in tears on the documentary when she was describing how their misrepresentation of her made her feel like her integrity was being wrongly portrayed. I don't think she has a lot of regard for Hartford, to be honest.

Ugh, Carlton. You just have to look at the leak of players from there over the years to know that their program had major issues. I might be biased but I suspect our club does player movement much better, even though of course these are tough decisions and things can seem sudden because we're not privy to everything behind closed doors.

And yeah, Tayla attracts some flack because she's out there taking opportunities and she's recognisable, especially to non-W fans. But I suspect a lot of what drives her comes from what she experienced as one of the faces of the league as a very young person, bearing the brunt of a lot of negative attention. None of that would have been a walk in the park given her actually quite reserved personality.

  On 05/12/2024 at 02:48, Mickey said:

Six-club mega deal floated as stars eye new homes

A POTENTIAL six-club deal has been mooted to unlock blockbuster AFLW trades for Tayla Harris, Lily Mithen and a handful of other players, with the League's Trade Period officially opening on Thursday.

Harris is yet to formally request a trade away from Melbourne but has a clear preference to get to Hawthorn, despite interest from Collingwood, while Mithen is understood to be open to joining Gold Coast.

The Demons would subsequently land the coveted No.2 pick (from the Suns) and multiple top 10 selections, while the Crows and the Kangas would shuffle up the draft order with their first-round picks.

However, the six-club deal hinges on whether Hawthorn would be willing to part with pick No.14 as part of a trade for Harris and Allen, with the likelihood still being that the deals are broken up independently.

Melbourne has separately been shopping its No.10 selection to rival clubs as part of potential pick swap deals as a contingency plan, should a move taking Harris to Hawthorn fall over.

A trade taking Mithen to Gold Coast appears a formality regardless of whether it's completed as part of the mega trade or independently, with Melbourne considered a certainty to ultimately land the No.2 pick as part of the move.

This is why I can't find the same passion for the women's game: far too much swapping and changing clubs. It's great for certain individuals such as Tayla - premierships with three clubs - but in terms of generating supporter loyalty it's a cold shower.

I was rapt when I saw L Mithen on the list again. Her great uncle or whatever, was a terrific player, a tough, hard at it wingman in some of the best teams the MFC has fielded. Now she's off. Seriously? 

Just don't expect me to take it too seriously.

Six club mega deal will happen without Hawks, Harris in limbo, could come back to Dees. Farewell Lil, always a premiership Dee. We can remove the ? From the title of the thread I guess:

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1262823

Edited December 6, 2024Dec 6 by ChaserJ

So we get picks #2 and #20 for Lil, picks 10#, #28 and #46.

#2 is great, but then only #20 till #64?  It's supposed to be a strong draft with lots of talent, hope we aren't going to miss out.  Unless there is still some trading to be done.......

  On 06/12/2024 at 09:23, Craig T said:

So we get picks #2 and #20 for Lil, picks 10#, #28 and #46.

#2 is great, but then only #20 till #64?  It's supposed to be a strong draft with lots of talent, hope we aren't going to miss out.  Unless there is still some trading to be done.......

I think we are paying for getting overs for Mithen there. Turning 10 into 2 is amazing.

From https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/aflw-2024-lily-mithen-joins-gold-coast-tayla-harris-deal-in-limbo/news-story/17a3fedd881cc9d654c07c29dace9556

Melbourne list boss Todd Patterson said Mithen had been exploring a “lifestyle change” for some time, but only wanted to move if the Demons could secure a high draft pick.

“Lily has been a terrific servant for our club over her journey, and as an inaugural player, her contribution cannot be underestimated,” Patterson said.

“She has been an integral member of a program, and given an enormous amount to her teammates, her coaches and the broader club. To watch her grow from an 18-year-old, as both a player and a person, over the past nine seasons has been incredibly rewarding.

“In recent weeks, Lily and her management team identified an opportunity and lifestyle change that could work for her. Testament to Lily’s character, she was only willing to explore an option that would put the club in a favourable position, such as a return like pick No.2.

“We thank Lily for all she has given during her time in the red and blue. She will forever be part of the Melbourne family.”

 

 

Nicely done. Farewell to Lily, always has my respect as an inaugural Demon and premiership player. Commitment at the footy could never be questioned. Super durable, playing 82 of a possible 87 games. I'll miss that inevitable hit-up kick to Kate that the opposition somehow always failed to predict! Wish her the best.

Sad day.  Very sad.  A club has a heart.  Lil was part of the Red & Blue heartbeat.  Lifeline player.  She played more of a role than just on field stats. Super durable.  Week in week out.  
https://www.facebook.com/MELBOURNEfc/videos/the-best-of-lily-mithen-50-game-milestone-/446295674143893/

https://www.facebook.com/aflwomens/videos/recharging-with-lily-mithen/853457790037182/

What a journey.  As we’ve see you grow.  
Miss ya Roving  Lil.   💔💔

 

so it’s just a Business?  Really.  Pick 2 or pick 10.  You find the right player.  Beyond Havana Harris , the next group is even btw

Edited December 6, 2024Dec 6 by spirit of norm smith
J

I wish Lily all the best for the rest of her footy career, she gave us all she had when playing.

Moving clubs is a more natural thing in the women’s game it seems.

So that's the 2024 quinella: RIP 'Gus and Gawny' and 'Lil Life Chats'.

Anyone starting a book on who might get a gig in 2025?

  On 06/12/2024 at 22:53, Redleg said:

I wish Lily all the best for the rest of her footy career, she gave us all she had when playing.

Moving clubs is a more natural thing in the women’s game it seems.

Yeah, expanding from 8 to 18 teams in 6 years makes for a lot of movement. It'll settle...and then in comes Tassie!

  On 09/12/2024 at 03:57, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

So that's the 2024 quinella: RIP 'Gus and Gawny' and 'Lil Life Chats'.

Anyone starting a book on who might get a gig in 2025?

It'd be fun if they made it a joint podcast during the season overlap of men's and women's. Something different.

  On 10/12/2024 at 05:53, Dees_In_October said:

Yeah, expanding from 8 to 18 teams in 6 years makes for a lot of movement. It'll settle...and then in comes Tassie!

It'd be fun if they made it a joint podcast during the season overlap of men's and women's. Something different.

Get Judd and Lily to run it so he stays in Vic 😃

Interesting that we bid on GC's Harris with the pick they traded to us. That's pretty unusual I think - see mens' draft and Kako. Maybe there was some hard dealing in the trade by GC. BTW, I have no doubt Harris is worth pick 2.