The Fremantle Dockers have made a bold and aggressive move in the AFLW trade period, successfully securing a deal for Melbourne Demons key forward Eden Zanker and defender Lily Johnson. This significant trade is a clear statement of intent from the Dockers as they aim to climb back into finals contention after a disappointing season.
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In a deal reported on Sunday, 7 December 2025, Fremantle have agreed to part with a substantial package of draft selections to bring the two Demons players west. The club will send picks nine, 27, and 81 from the upcoming mid-December draft, along with a future second-round selection, to Melbourne. In return, Fremantle will receive the two players as well as pick 35 and a future fourth-round pick.
This trade addresses Fremantle's most glaring weakness from the 2025 season. The Dockers finished in 11th place, with their attacking output a major concern. They managed only 414 points for the year, ranking them as the seventh-lowest scoring team in the competition.
Solving Fremantle's Goal-Scoring Crisis
The acquisition of Eden Zanker is a direct response to Fremantle's struggles inside forward 50. Last season, only Hayley Miller kicked more than 10 goals, finishing with 11. Midfielder and club fairest and best winner Aisling McCarthy was next best with just seven majors.
The Dockers experimented with several key forward options throughout the campaign, including Tunisha Kikoak and rookie Georgie Brisbane. While both showed promising moments, the club was ultimately seeking a proven and consistent focal point for their attack.
Zanker, 26, brings exactly that pedigree. Across 86 games for Melbourne, she has kicked 77 goals, establishing herself as one of the competition's most dangerous forwards. Her potential move west had been speculated for some time, with both Fremantle and cross-town rivals West Coast reportedly expressing interest.
Lifestyle a Key Factor in Move West
In an interview with AFL.com in November, Zanker hinted that a lifestyle change was a consideration, noting her partner is from Western Australia. She contrasted the chaos of Melbourne city life with a desire for something different.
"Melbourne city is pretty chaotic, so it's probably getting the better of me at the moment," Zanker said. "I guess just the lifestyle piece as well — I absolutely love the Dees, and if you could pick it up and put it somewhere more rural, and away from everything, it'd be perfect."
The addition of defender Lily Johnson provides further depth to Fremantle's list as coach Lisa Webb and her team aggressively retool following their 11th-place finish. This trade marks a powerful start to the Dockers' free agency and trade period, signalling their determination to return to the AFLW's top eight.
