The Saints will unveil their premier trade recruit Nicola Barr this weekend as the versatile star pulls on the red, white and black for the first time against the Dees at Casey Fields.

The league’s inaugural No. 1 draft pick arrived at Moorabbin as part of a three-way trade with the Giants and Adelaide in the 2024 AFLW Trade Period after cementing herself as one of the Giants’ most consistent and versatile players over her nine seasons in the league.

The 61-game leader will return to the field for the first time since suffering a season ending hamstring injury in Round 3 of last season.

“It’s been a long time coming, I can’t wait to pull on the jumper for the first time this weekend and run out alongside my new teammates,” Barr said.

“There’s a real hunger in this group to perform better than ever before and I can’t wait to get started and play my role in achieving this together.

“The girls created history on the weekend, beating Adelaide for time in their biggest win yet. I excited to get out there and play my role as we attempt to knock off the Dees on home turf.”

Elected into the leadership group in her first season as a Saint, Barr’s experience and versatility across every line has been a key pillar of support for this young Saints core.

“Nicola has been a spectacular addition to our squad since her arrival last December,” GM AFLW Jessie Mulholland said.

“Her investment in the program and support she’s provided to the group from the sidelines as she’s worked through her rehab over the off-season has been second to none.

“We can’t wait to see her run out and make her well-deserved club debut this weekend.”

Barr will be the sixth new addition to the team this year following on from the debuts of Zoe Besanko, Kyla Forbes, Amber Clarke, Charlotte Baskaran and Arianna Clarke last Sunday.