Bulldogs accused of 'saving face' after refusing to trade former No.1 pick to North Melbourne

The Western Bulldogs have refused to trade 2023 No.1 draft pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner to North Melbourne at the deadline of the AFLW trade period, which will force her back into the draft system.

The 20-year-old requested a move to the undefeated reigning premiers before the trade period began, but the Bulldogs refused the Roos' offer of pick 37 for her.

Given she is out of contract, this means she will now fall back into the national draft, where technically any team could pick her up.

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Weston-Turner's manager Michael Oakes expressed frustration on behalf of his client in the immediate aftermath.

"She's very disappointed," he told AFL Media's trade deadline coverage.

"We felt she had a great opportunity to go to another club, despite who the club was, it was a good fit for her as a player and a person.

"Despite best efforts, couldn't get it done."

The Bulldogs, who finished 12th on the AFLW ladder, were seemingly also reluctant to move a player deemed the best of the 2023 draft class to a team that hasn't lost a game since that same year.

The offer of pick 37 was rejected and a better offer is yet to be reported.

Oakes accused the Bulldogs of "saving face" in not doing the deal.

Both Hawthorn and Brisbane were teams Weston-Turner also spoke with before deciding on North Melbourne, but her manager is confident neither will pick her up in the draft and that she will land at her desired destination.

"She'll get to North Melbourne. She's committed and they're committed to taking her. She'll get to North Melbourne," he said.

"(Hawks footy boss) Keegan (Brooksby) and I have a beer deal on it, so we're good with that.

"Brisbane, no, she chose not to move interstate. She felt it wasn't best for her. I hope they respect that and she'll move on to North Melbourne."

The top pick in the 2023 draft sliding all the way to North's first pick at 37 just two years later feels optimistic at best, but it all depends on whether a club would select her knowing she doesn't necessarily want to be there.

The athletic mid-forward only played the one game for the Bulldogs during the 2025 season.

North Melbourne list manager Flynn Loft believes they made a fair offer for her services.

"We were really disappointed we couldn't bring Weston-Turner in through the trade period. She's an exciting player that we're really committed to getting into our club on Monday night," he told AFL Media.

"Ultimately the value that they wanted was too high for us. We put forward something that was really fair but unfortunately didn't get the deal done.

"There's a bit to play out, but from her end and our end, we want her to be a North Melbourne player and she wants to be a North Melbourne player. Unfortunately it didn't happen through trade but we're committed to making sure it happens through the draft."

The draft will take place on December 15 from Marvel Stadium.