St Kilda has secured the services of the highly talented Bianca Jakobsson as part of a three-way trade between Melbourne and North Melbourne. 

The Saints secured Jakobsson from Melbourne and pick No. 40 from the Kangaroos in exchange for the club’s second-round selection (pick No. 22), while the Demons received North Melbourne’s second-round selection (pick No. 29) after letting Jakobbson go.  

St Kilda and North Melbourne also swapped fourth-round picks as part of the deal. 

The 27-year-old defender stepped away from the game ahead of Season 2020 to complete her Police Academy training, but is poised for a 2021 return in the red, white and black. 

Head of Women’s Football Jamie Cox said Jakobbson would be an integral addition to the Saints’ young backline. 

“Bianca is a highly talented and experienced player who was a key target for the club entering the trade period,” Cox said. 

“Our focus during the trade period was to add experience and strength to our defence, and we are excited to be able to achieve that through the addition of Bianca and Jayde Van Dyk.” 

Van Dyk joined St Kilda on the opening day of the AFLW Trade Period, while the Saints also traded Jess Sedunary back to Adelaide earlier today so she could be closer to family. 

Jakobsson played seven games for Carlton in the inaugural year of the competition, before becoming a key member of Melbourne’s side the following season. 

Such was her performance for Melbourne in 2018 that she was named amongst the 40-player AFLW All-Australian squad.

The Saints currently hold draft selections No. 6 (Vic 4), No. 34 (20), No. 40 (23) & No. 57 (33).