Get all the latest AFLW news in the trade and draft landscape in Inside Trading, AFL.com.au's dedicated column for player movement. Find out the latest on contracts, deals, trade updates, draftees, rules, agents and who is going where from the AFL.com.au team.

PIES SET FOR HUGE DOUBLE BOOST

COLLINGWOOD is on track to significantly jumpstart its struggling AFLW program, with the Pies close to securing long-term extensions for star pair Ash Centra and Lucy Cronin.

It's understood Centra and Cronin, who were both already contracted for 2027, have recently been in productive negotiations around extending their existing deals multiple years into the future.

Their impending extensions will be a huge show of faith in Collingwood's lowly AFLW program, which has endured a period of turmoil recently that will see the club lose its captain Ruby Schleicher to West Coast and with fellow star Tarni White strongly considering rival interest.

Centra is the club's former No.1 pick and is renowned as one of the most recognisable figures in the competition, while Cronin finished the season as the side's stand-in captain and is one of the Pies' best players at just 21 years of age.

The Pies started an external review into their AFLW program last Tuesday following a disappointing stretch where they won only five games in three seasons, leading to Sam Wright's departure as senior coach late this year.

However, the club – led by AFLW boss Jess Burger and chief executive Craig Kelly – have recently undergone a full-scale effort to keep a host of other uncontracted stars and personally met with a number of important players in the last fortnight.

Centra and Cronin were among those to catch up with senior Pies figures, leading to their expected contract extensions, in what will be a huge boost for side's future AFLW plans. – Riley Beveridge

SUNS IN CHASE FOR CROWS STAR

GOLD Coast looms as a likely suitor for Adelaide's triple-premiership defender Sarah Allan.

AFL.com.au revealed last week that Allan, a three-time All-Australian at the Crows and one of the best key defenders in the competition, was keen to explore her options elsewhere despite a year remaining on her contract.

The Suns have since emerged as a potential destination for the 28-year-old and have strong links to Allan through her close friend Anne Hatchard and the side's football boss Erin Phillips.

Gold Coast sees itself in the window to attack this year's trade period, having gone 9-3 this season and built a solid foundation via seven first-round Academy prospects coming into the club across the last two years.

Allan would be a blockbuster trade for the contending Suns, given her standing as one of the League's premier players across a 107-game AFLW career that's featured three premierships with the Crows. – Riley Beveridge

CLUBS KEEP TABS ON GOLD COAST GUN

THERE is rival interest in the future of Gold Coast favourite Lily Mithen, with the Suns open to a deal for the contracted midfielder.

It's understood Mithen was informed at her exit interview this week that Gold Coast wouldn't stand in her way if she was to explore her options, despite holding a contract at the Suns for 2027.

Rivals have been monitoring Mithen's situation throughout the season, following a campaign where she lost her place in Gold Coast's side at different stages.

The 28-year-old still has one season remaining on the three-year deal she signed when she joined the Suns from the Demons in 2024.

Despite her uncertain future, Mithen has played a critical leadership role during her time at Gold Coast and is viewed as a key mentor within one of the competition's youngest teams.

She was a premiership player at Melbourne in 2022 and played her 100th AFLW game earlier this season. – Riley Beveridge

GIANTS PLAY HARDBALL ON MCCORMICK

GREATER Western Sydney is set to dig its heels in on its desire to have Carlton defender Maddy Hendrie included in negotiations over a deal for wantaway All-Australian Cambridge McCormick.

As revealed by AFL.com.au, McCormick requested a trade to the Blues on Wednesday having unsuccessfully tried to make her way to Ikon Park while under contract last season as well.

The Giants have been keen for the contracted Hendrie to be included in talks, though the Blues have so far been adamant the important defender won't be considered in the discussions.

Hendrie finished fourth in Carlton's best and fairest last season and is happy at the Blues, who have previously held talks around potentially extending her contract beyond next season and past 2030.

Carlton isn't flush with assets to trade for McCormick, having shifted out its first-round pick in a deal with North Melbourne last year. The club's first selection isn't currently due to fall until No.32 in this year's pool.

However, the Giants have been apprehensive to consider future picks in the McCormick negotiations and need 2026 selections for talented Academy pair Majella Day and Morgan Stevens.

In addition to McCormick informing the Giants that she wants to be traded to Carlton, it's understood both Emily Pease and Fleur Davies are also interested in exploring their options during next month's window. – Riley Beveridge

CLUBS JOCKEY FOR LIONS RUCK

A MARKET is building for Brisbane ruck Eleanor Hartill, with a number of sides registering an interest in the uncontracted tall.

Port Adelaide has long been seen as a potential suitor for Hartill, though Richmond and the Western Bulldogs have also emerged in the chase for the 26-year-old.

Essendon and St Kilda have previously shown an interest in Hartill as well, following an impressive stint at Brisbane where she's played in 39 of 41 games since joining.

The 185cm option, who previously played at West Coast, can also go forward and kicked four goals as a tall target in attack for Brisbane this year. – Riley Beveridge

DEES DEFENDER SET FOR NEW DEAL

MELBOURNE is set to retain premiership player Sarah Lampard, with the Demons fending off rival interest in the defender.

It's understood the club has recently made good progress in talks around a two-year deal for Lampard, which would see her commit her future to Melbourne through until at least 2028.

Lampard, who played in the Demons' 2022 premiership side, has remained an integral part of the team's flag push this season and has featured in all 13 games so far across 2026.

A host of clubs had registered an interest in Lampard as she came towards the end of her contract this season, but she has since committed her future to Melbourne and is close to agreeing terms on an extension. – Riley Beveridge

BOMBERS LOOK FOR THE WINDOW

ESSENDON is set to meet with Port Adelaide youngster Piper Window, joining the chase for the former top 20 pick.

Window has already told Power officials that she would like to explore her options this trade period, despite a contract at Alberton for next season.

Greater Western Sydney has been among the sides keen on Window, though Essendon has also joined in the hunt for the talented young midfielder.

The Bombers are set for a busy trade period and have also shown an interest in Window's Power teammate Jas Sowden, as well as Lions defender Lilly Baker among others. – Riley Beveridge