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Fremantle Dockers, West Coast Eagles bolster squads in three-way trade with North Melbourne

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Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
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West Coast and Fremantle’s preparations for the AFLW season have continued, with both adding quality players to their squads in the sign and trade period.

The Dockers secured North Melbourne midfielder Jess Trend for pick 44 in this year’s draft, before trading inaugural squad member Tayla Bresland to the Eagles for pick 46.

Trend has played all of the Kangaroos’ 14 games in their two-year existence and adds depth to Fremantle’s already strong midfield.

Fremantle AFLW manager Darryn Fry said Trend would be an asset to the team.

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“Jess is a very good runner, she has the ability to play as either a running half-back or outside midfielder. She adds some versatility to our list,” Fry said.

“She suits our game style with the running power that she brings.

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“She’s also an outstanding character and provides strong leadership. That was evident in the discussions we’ve had with her and we think she’ll be a great fit for our group.”

Former Kangaroos midfielder Jess Trend has been traded to the Fremantle Dockers.
Camera IconFormer Kangaroos midfielder Jess Trend has been traded to the Fremantle Dockers. Credit: Steve Bell/via AFL Photos

West Coast traded in Bresland to bolster their defence, with the Peel Thunder-product unable to break into the Dockers best 22 last season after work commitments interrupted her pre-season.

West Coast head of female football Adam Selwood said they were thrilled to have Bresland’s services for the next two seasons.

“Throughout the 2020 season we probably knew that Talia Radan might be playing her last year of football, so as part of our prudent list management we kept an eye on several players, one being Tayla,” Selwood said.

“She performed strongly for a number of years with Fremantle and due to a few minor adjustments with their program, she was unable to get a game this season.

“However, she’s a quality player who is proven in the league and someone that we feel will definitely mould into our group.

“She’s a competitor and accustomed to taking on the opposition’s best forward.

The key for us is to bring her into our program, understand her body, and get on top of all the little niggles that have been there the past few years.

“We feel at 24 years of age she’s got a lot of footy ahead of her and we can’t wait to see her compete the way she has and elevate her game to new standards.”

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