A THREE-WAY stalemate is looming between Melbourne, Carlton and Collingwood as the NAB AFL Women’s trade deadline approaches.

Former netballer Maddison Gay has informed Carlton that she wishes to join Melbourne for the third season of the competition.

It comes as Collingwood's Amelia Barden intends to depart the Holden Centre to follow former Pies assistant Daniel Harford, who was recently appointed Blues coach.

A three-way trade between the clubs – Collingwood would receive draft picks – has been one suggestion to break the deadlock, with the AFL now believed to be involved in the process.

As of Thursday afternoon, there were no signs of the impasse ending before Monday's 2pm AEST deadline.

Gay joined Carlton for the second AFLW season. She played all seven matches and was named the club's best first-year player.

A latecomer to football, the 21-year-old played in the VFLW competition for the St Kilda Sharks with Carlton captain Bri Davey and Melbourne players Kate Hore and Meg Downie.

Barden played every match for Collingwood in the first two seasons of the competition and was described as a "wrecking ball" by the club in her debut season.

The 25-year-old finished seventh in the Pies' best and fairest this year.