Two years after she earned All-Australian selection, Zanker will join Fremantle in a major trade that netted the Demons pick No.9 in the December 15 draft.
Defender Lily Johnson will also head from Melbourne to the Dockers in the deal.
Zanker made her debut in 2018 and has played 86 games for the Demons, kicking 77 goals.
She was the top goalkicker in 2023, a year after playing in Melbourne's first premiership team.
There had been speculation for weeks about Zanker, with her move west said to be for personal reasons.
Stinear, who had been Melbourne's only AFLW coach, confirmed his resignation last month after their preliminary final loss to premiers North Melbourne.
His future remains unclear and the Demons are yet to name his replacement.
Melbourne also secured the 27th and 81st selections in the draft, along with the Dockers' second-round pick next year, while Fremantle receive this year's No.35 pick in the deal.
"We understand this has not been a decision that Eden has come to lightly," Demons AFLW boss Clare Pettyfor said.
"She has been a key pillar of our program over the past eight years, but we respect the decision that her and her partner Nikita have made to explore opportunities in WA.
"As one of the premier forwards in the competition, we wanted to ensure that her departure allowed us to strengthen our hand, heading into this year's draft. We are confident that this trade puts the club in a favourable position."
The Dockers, understandably, were rapt to secure Zanker.
"Eden is a player we've been watching very closely for a long period of time, and we are thrilled to get a deal done with Melbourne, which will see her at Freo for at least the next four seasons," said Dockers AFLW list manager Darryn Fry.Â
"Eden's presence as a key focal point in the forward line, where we know she will present strongly both on a lead and aerially was very appealing for us and we think her experience will be invaluable for our younger players in their ongoing development."
Also on Monday, the Demons swapped picks 17 and 27 to Gold Coast for the No.14 selection and next year's second-round pick.
Richmond traded Grace Egan to Adelaide for pick No.38.
Brisbane's Ellie Hampson will join Port Adelaide in a deal involving draft picks, while fellow Lions premiership player Poppy Boltz was traded to GWS.
The Lions will receive the Giants' 2026 round-one compensation pick.
Ella Slocombe, who played one game for the Kangaroos this season, will join West Coast and Hawthorn forward Sophie Butterworth wants to join St Kilda.
The trade period ends on Wednesday.
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