The 2025 AFLW Trade Period and National Draft have now passed, with the Saints adding six fresh faces to the squad.

Here's a rundown of St Kilda's movements over the off-season so far.

SOPHIE BUTTERWORTH

TRADE
St Kilda receive: Sophie Butterworth, Pick 87
Hawthorn receive: Pick 67, 2026 4th round pick

St Kilda secured its first and only player acquisition of the 2025 Trade Periodnwith key forward Sophie Butterworth landing at Moorabbin after two seasons at Hawthorn. 

Selected with pick No. 45 in the 2023 Telstra AFL Draft, the 181cm emerging youngster made six appearances in the brown and gold, showcasing exciting promise as a dynamic aerial threat with strong marking ability and composed ball use. 

“Securing a key forward was one of our main priorities heading into this year’s trade period,” GM AFLW Jessie Mulholland said. 

“A player who can grow with our group and help drive our forward line to another level, we can’t wait to welcome Sophie to our program.”  

JADE MCLAY

NATIONAL DRAFT
Pick 26

Kicking off the Saints’ selections on draft night was Calder Cannons captain Jade McLay.

Earning All-Australian honours in 2025, the powerful utility boasts the ability to play across every line as a tall, midfielder or ruck.

Complementing her power with impressive vision and composure by hand, McLay’s leadership experience will hold her in good stead among a young Saints core.

CHELSEA SUTTON

NATIONAL DRAFT
Pick 31

Gippsland best and fairest winner Chelsea Sutton brings consistency and competitiveness to the Saints’ midfield mix.

A highly competitive and versatile player, Sutton’s softly spoken nature is not to be confused with her fierce on-field intensity.

With an exciting combination of speed and endurance, the mid-forward has the capability to play a variety of roles at the elite level.

ABBY HOBSON

NATIONAL DRAFT
Pick 42

Dubbed a “first-quarter specialist” for her ability to hit the scoreboard early in games, Abby Hobson booted 20 goals in 13 matches this year for the Gippsland Power, cementing her status as one of the draft’s best marking forwards.

Training professionally in tennis until her bottom-age year, the tall forward ultimately chose football for her love of the team environment.

MAYA LOUVEL-FINN

NATIONAL DRAFT
Pick 60

One of the standout defenders in the draft class, Maya Louvel-Finn went from strength to strength with East Fremantle this season, finishing third in the club’s best and fairest and earning All-Australian honours, despite missing six games.

Louvel-Finn’s athletic profile was further highlighted at the state combine, where she finished second in the running vertical jump (right) and top five across three sprint categories, showcasing her impressive intercepting and rebounding qualities.

CARYS D'ADDARIO

NATIONAL DRAFT
Pick 61

Rounding out the draft class, Carys D’Addario turns contested footy into clean offensive chains.

After fracturing her hip late in the WAFLW season and missing WA’s entire U18s campaign last year, the midfielder capped off a stellar 2025 draft year by winning the WA U18 MVP and earning a top-10 finish in the Dhara Kerr Medal for WAFL Best & Fairest.

DEPARTING

Veteran Nic Stevens was traded to the Geelong Cats after requesting a move during the trade period. In return, the Saints received a 2026 2nd round pick as well as giving up a 2026 3rd round pick.

St Kilda also farewelled Bec Ott, Charlotte Simpson, Nat Plane, Hannah Stuart, Arianna Clarke and Lilu Hung at the end of the 2025 season.