In an 11-Club trade that went down to the wire, Fremantle have finalised a deal seeing utility Gabby Newton and forward/defender Ash Brazill sign to the Club.

Defender Mikayla Hyde has signed with Collingwood as part of the trade, and the Western Bulldogs receive Fremantle’s pick 6 in the first round of the 2023 AFLW Draft as well as a round three selection (pick 51).

Fremantle have also given a third-round selection (pick 46) to the Brisbane Lions as part of the trade.

Newton was taken with the first pick in the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft and now has 36 AFLW games under her belt.

The utility’s 2023 season saw her register multiple career-best performances with 21 disposals against West Coast, nine marks against St Kilda and 407 metres gained against Sydney.

The young gun was nominated for the 2020 AFLW Rising Star award, named in the 2020 AFLPA 22under22 team, and was crowned the Bulldogs’ Best First Year player in the same year.

AFLW Football Operations Manager Darryn Fry was thrilled to have both trades go over the line with Newton and Brazill signing on.

“The Club is absolutely ecstatic to bring in two high-end talents in Gabby Newton and Ash Brazill,” Fry said.

Fry touched on the impact Newton can have on the Club.

“Newton is another player who we have watched closely and been in conversations with for a period of time,” Fry said.

“We’ve seen Gabby’s best football played inside mid, but we also know she has capability in the forward line and can kick goals.

“We experienced the impact she can have on a game first-hand when we played Western Bulldogs in Season 7.

“We see Gabby as another double threat player for us and we’re excited for her future at Freo.”

Brazill has played 32 AFLW games across seven seasons for the Magpies while juggling her netball career.

The cross-coder’s athletic ability, work ethic and skill were recognised when she was announced as a member of the 2019 All-Australian team, and runner-up best and fairest winner for Collingwood in the same year.

Brazill recently announced her retirement from netball after a highly successful career, winning a Commonwealth Games Gold Medal, and a Netball World Cup with the Australian Diamonds.

“Once we were made aware she was returning to Western Australia with her wife and family, we were wanting to start the process trying to bring Ash to the Club,” Fry said.

“We’re really excited to see what Ash can do when she is fully focused on football, without juggling two codes for the first time.

“We know she has really strong leadership capabilities so we’re really looking forward to seeing what Ash can bring to the Club in that capacity as well.”

Fry thanked Hyde for her contribution to the Club after four seasons.

“Miki has come on in leaps and bounds as a player and she has been a really hard worker,” Fry said.

“She started as a train-on and an injury replacement player and within one week on that list, she played her first game in round 1 of the 2021 season, which is quite remarkable.

“We want to thank Miki for her efforts, and we wish her all the best for her new opportunity at Collingwood and hope she goes well.”