Fremantle have secured star forward Eden Zanker in one of the biggest deals of the AFLW trade period, with Melbourne teammate Lily Johnson also joining the Dockers.

Zanker has signed a four-year deal, while Johnson will be in purple until at least the end of 2026.

The club parted with picks 9, 27, 81 and a future second-round selection, in exchange for the Demons pair, pick 35 and a future fourth-round pick.

Fremantle’s AFLW list manager Darryn Fry said Zanker was “a player we’ve been watching very closely for a long period of time”.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

The 2022 premiership player has kicked 77 goals across 86 games for Melbourne since being drafted with the sixth overall pick in 2017.

She received All Australian honours in 2023, as well as being the AFLW’s leading goalkicker that season with 23 majors across 12 games.

Meanwhile, the Dockers also added a versatile young defender in Johnson, who has played 19 AFLW games across two clubs after starting her career at Port Adelaide.

“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.”

Johnson is also the partner of Fremantle AFL recruit Judd McVee.