The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos have secured dual All-Australian and premiership defender Libby Birch following a trade with Melbourne.

Birch arrives at Arden Street along with pick No.35 in next week’s AFLW Draft, while Melbourne receives pick No.19.

The 26-year-old started her AFLW career at the Western Bulldogs, where she played all 22 games across three seasons and won a premiership alongside now-Roo teammates Emma Kearney, Jenna Bruton and Kim Rennie in 2018.

She joined Melbourne during the 2019 trade period, going on to play a further 55 games, earn All-Australian honours in 2020 and 2022 and add a second premiership medal.

North Melbourne AFLW list manager Flynn Loft said Birch’s wealth of experience would be a great asset to the Kangaroos.

"We are excited to bring in a player of Libby’s calibre as a two-time All-Australian and two-time premiership player," Loft said.

"We know that she is going to thrive in our defensive system with her terrific ability to read the play to intercept and compete aerially.

"Libby is a great person, and we are confident she is only going to add to our off-field dynamic by continuing to drive the standards and passing on her wealth of experience and knowledge."