“After being named a player of interest by an expansion club, Karen Paxman was quick to recommit to the program, which we’re really pleased about,” AFLW list manager Todd Patterson told Melbourne Media.

“She’s been one of the prominent midfielders in the competition,” he added.

Despite both recovering from ACL injuries, Melbourne also locked in Sarah Lampard and Ainslie Kemp for 2019.

“Karen, Sarah and Ainslie all have terrific character and show all the value we want in a Melbourne person," Patterson said.

“We’re really confident that all three will have a strong impact on field next season, and it’s a good way for us to kick off the signing period.

“We’ll lock in the rest of the players in the days to come,” he said.

Yesterday after saw the closure of the Women’s Expansion Signing Period with the Draft order set to be completed today before the Sign & Trade period commences on Wednesday.