MIDFIELDER Eliza West and forward Casey Sherriff will both depart the Dees after the club agreed to a trade with Hawthorn on Friday. 

In exchange for the duo and pick 16, the Demons will receive pick 5 and 26 in the deal, improving their draft stocks ahead of the AFLW Draft on December 18. 

Melbourne AFLW List Manager Todd Patterson spoke of the importance of the trade and the positive position it puts the club in. 

“We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this deal; it fits really well within our strategy of attacking the top end of this year’s draft,” Patterson said. 

“It’s been notoriously difficult to jump up the draft order in the AFLW competition in this fashion in years gone by, so it gives us plenty of options to work with from here.” 

West, who played 36 games for the red and blue, joined the Demons as an ex-basketballer in 2021. She played eleven matches this past season; her third at the club.  

Sherriff joined Melbourne in 2019 and tallied 48 games over six seasons, including ten appearances in 2023. 

Patterson thanked the pair for their contribution to the club. 

“Casey came to us through an unconventional path by replacing Daisy Pearce when she was pregnant, and she fought hard through the early years of her career to establish herself,” he said. 

“To ultimately play in a premiership with us was a tremendous effort. 
 
“Likewise, Eliza had never considered playing football in her life until we tracked her down during COVID. To be able to achieve what she has to date is a real credit not only to Eliza but also the program.  

“To play a small part in someone’s journey is very special and we hope this move is a positive one for her. 
 
“We wish the departing players well and look forward to celebrating with them at premiership reunions in years to come.” 

Melbourne currently holds pick No.5, 26, 35, 56 and 74, ahead of the Draft later this month.