HAWTHORN is making a significant push to pinch a second AFLW star from North Melbourne in a matter of days, with the expansion club closing on a deal for speedster Kaitlyn Ashmore.
Womens.afl understands the Hawks are hoping to finalise a deal for Ashmore, just days after the club managed to beat the expansion signing period deadline to secure the Kangaroos' gun Irish defender Aileen Gilroy.
The details as to how Hawthorn would pursue a move for Ashmore are still up in the air, though North Melbourne is now understood to be ramping up its efforts to retain the important 30-year-old.
Ashmore was one of Brisbane's marquee signings in the club's inaugural AFLW season, before crossing to North Melbourne before the 2019 campaign. She has played 49 games in total, including 16 for the Lions and 33 for the Kangaroos.
As revealed by womens.afl, Hawthorn stunned North Melbourne on Monday when it secured a deal for Gilroy just before the AFL's expansion signing period deadline and weeks after the Irishwoman had told Kangaroos officials she would be staying at the club.
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Ashmore's potential departure would therefore make it a second North Melbourne player to make the switch to Bec Goddard's Hawthorn side in a matter of days, fuelling intrigue for the League's sign and trade period.
Meanwhile, a host of clubs have enquired about potentially trading back with the Hawks after the League announced the highly-anticipated NAB AFLW Draft order on Tuesday morning.
It's understood St Kilda, Geelong and Richmond – all clubs that need to conduct deals during the sign and trade period – have asked about trading their first-round selections back in moves that would see them secure multiple later Hawthorn picks.
