Fremantle have secured star key forward Eden Zanker and young defender Lily Johnson in a trade with Melbourne, that will see Zanker in purple until at least the end of the 2029 season, and Johnson until at least the end of 2026.
The Club have also received pick 35 and a future fourth round selection from Melbourne and traded picks 9, 27, 81 and a future second-round pick.
Zanker has played 86 AFLW games and booted 77 goals across nine seasons on Melbourne’s list, as she solidified her spot as a key pillar in the side’s forward line.
Standing at 183cm, Zanker received All Australian honours in 2023, as well as being the League Leading Goalkicker in the same year, after she booted 23 goals across 12 games.
The 26-year-old was Melbourne’s first selection and sixth pick overall in the 2017 AFLW Draft and went on to become an AFLW Premiership Player for the Club in 2022.
Zanker racked up multiple career-best efforts in 2025, with a stand-out performance against West Coast in Round 6, as she booted five goals, with nine marks and 12 disposals, and booted 22 goals for the season.
AFLW List Manager Darryn Fry said he was thrilled with the outcome and welcomed Zanker to Fremantle.
“Eden is a player we’ve been watching very closely for a long period of time, and we are thrilled to get a deal done with Melbourne, which will see her at Freo for at least the next four seasons,” Fry said.
“Eden’s presence as a key focal point in the forward line, where we know she will present strongly both on a lead and aerially was very appealing for us and we think her experience will be invaluable for our younger players in their ongoing development.
“We are delighted Eden chose Fremantle to play her 10th AFLW Season at in 2026 and beyond and we can’t wait to welcome her and her partner Nikita over to Perth.”
Johnson comes to Fremantle as a quick, versatile young defender who has played 19 AFLW games, five at Port Adelaide and the remaining 14 at Melbourne.
Hailing from Tasmania, Johnson moved to South Australia as a teenager to further her development, impressing with West Adelaide in the SANFLW before being drafted by Port Adelaide with pick No. 80 in the 2022 AFLW Draft.
“We’re delighted to welcome Lily to Fremantle, and at 21, she already brings experience at AFLW level but also has plenty of growth opportunities ahead of her,” Fry said.
“Her ball use was evident in Round 9 when we played Melbourne at Fremantle Oval and feel this could be a real asset for us.
“We see her as someone who, with her versatility, can slot into our defensive unit but we have also seen her play on the wing, and at times, up forward and we believe she’ll thrive in our program.”
Zanker and Johnson will commence training in the new year with Fremantle teammates and coaches.
The AFLW Trade Period opened on Thursday 4 December and closes Wednesday 10 December.
