The Hawks and Demons failed to settle on a trade before Wednesday's 4pm deadline.
Melbourne had been after Hawthorn's pick No.14 as part of any deal for Harris, but the Hawks had been reluctant to part with the selection.
Harris, who has a new contract on the table from Melbourne, can either re-sign with the Demons, viewed as the most likely option, or delist herself and enter the draft.
The 27-year-old missed most of the season after requiring shoulder surgery, but at her best is one of the best aerial players in the game.
After three seasons with Richmond Eilish Sheerin has jumped at the chance to join the Kangaroos. (Hamish Blair/AAP PHOTOS)
Earlier, AFLW premiers North Melbourne made their undefeated 2024 team even stronger by snaffling Richmond star Eilish Sheerin on the final day of the trade period.
The Kangaroos handed over their first-round pick, No.18, in exchange for two-time All-Australian Sheerin, 32, on Wednesday morning.
����� surprise 🤩— North Melbourne Women's (@NMFCWomens) Dual All-Australian Eilish Sheerin is on her way to Arden Street!#WorthTheWaitDecember 10, 2024
A mature-aged recruit who joined the Tigers in 2022, Sheerin was a revelation, earning back-to-back All-Australian berths as a defender before moving into the midfield in 2024, when she averaged 18.4 disposals and 7.4 tackles per game.
Sheerin's departure from Richmond, for a relatively low price, is eyebrow-raising given she had finished second behind Monique Conti in their best and fairest in three consecutive seasons.
St Kilda's Irish dasher Grace Kelly reunited with sister Niamh at Adelaide as GWS's former No.1 pick Nicola Barr joined the Saints in a three-way trade.
Kelly, 30, heads to Adelaide after 21 games at St Kilda and 23 at West Coast.
The Crows gave up pick No.52, which went to the Giants, who gave up pick No.57 along with Barr to the Saints.
Three clubs have made a deal 👀— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) St Kilda will receive Nicola Barr and pick 57 from GWS, while GWS receive pick 52 from Adelaide and Grace Kelly will head to the Crows from the Saints. pic.twitter.com/1AUvyRyHDbDecember 11, 2024
Barr's 2024 was ruined by a serious hamstring injury but the versatile Sydneysider, the No.1 pick in the inaugural state-based 2016 draft, has shown her wares in midfield, defence and attack.
Barr, 28, has signed a three-year deal with the Saints.
Also on Wednesday, Essendon's Ash Van Loon headed to Sydney and Swan Ella Heads joined Port Adelaide as part of a four-way trade also involving the Brisbane Lions.
A handful of draft picks were also involved in the deal, including Port swapping pick No.15 for Brisbane's No.17 while shuffling later selections.
The Bombers claimed the Lions' pick No.35.
After falling out of favour at North Melbourne in 2024, Lulu Pullar departed for Sydney in exchange for picks No.49 and No.51.
Collingwood gave up pick No.45 for Fremantle speedster Airlie Runnalls.
30°C