AFLW Blue Sarah Hosking set to join TigersBy Daniel Cherny
July 28, 2020
Carlton's AFLW Hosking twins are set to be split with Richmond poised to acquire Sarah Hosking via a trade next month.
Midfielder Sarah, the identical twin of fellow Blue Jess, has been a mainstay of the Blues' women's side since the AFLW competition began in 2017, playing all 30 games for the club.
However her days in navy blue look to be done, with her manager Alex Saundry confirming on Tuesday that Sarah was likely to join Richmond during the AFLW sign and trade period, which begins next month.
The trade is likely to involve the Tigers' end of first-round compensation pick, selection No.15 in the national draft, which is pick No.9 in the Victorian draft.
The move will bolster a Richmond side that went winless during its first season in AFLW, leading to the departure of coach Tom Hunter.
In a strong Carlton side that was still alive when the AFLW season was cancelled because of the coronavirus, Hosking missed the top 10 of the Blues' best and fairest.
She was however a member of the Carlton leadership group this year.
Twin Jess, a minute younger than Sarah, has played 21 games for the club after missing 2017 through injury. The sisters were both drafted from Seaford in 2016.
The Tigers are yet to confirm what their new coaching structure will look like although sacked North Melbourne coach Scott Gowans has been linked to the role.
While the Blues are likely to lose Hosking, they are set to gain ex-Melbourne skipper Elise O'Dea, who is strongly considering a move to Carlton.
A host of other Demons including Maddy Guerin (also Carlton), Harriet Cordner (Richmond or the Western Bulldogs), Aliesha Newman (Collingwood) and Bianca Jakobsson (St Kilda) have also emerged as serious trade options as Melbourne look to improve their draft position this year.
Elsewhere, West Coast are widely tipped to land emerging Irish Bulldog Aisling McCarthy.
The AFL opted against implementing changes to the AFL salary cap or soft cap for next season despite the financial hit of COVID-19.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/afl/aflw-blue-hosking-set-to-join-tigers-20200728-p55g4o.html