Western Bulldogs have put two key pillars in place for the launch of next year’s AFL National Women’s League competition.
Key forward Katie Brennan and inside midfielder Ellie Blackburn were unveiled as the Bulldogs’ marquee players for the inaugural season.
Bulldogs director of football Chris Grant said he was thrilled by the key signings.
“We believe we have secured two of the most talented and exciting young players in the game,” Grant said.
“We’re confident both Katie and Ellie will help us to develop long-term success for our women’s side and we look forward to having them as Western Bulldogs players for a long time.”
Brennan is well-known to Bulldogs fans, after representing the club in five exhibition matches.
An athletic key forward, the 23-year-old Queenslander claimed the 2015 Susan Alberti Award for best and fairest in the 2015 exhibition series.
She has been a goal machine at local level, kicking more than 50 goals in the past three seasons with Darebin Falcons.
Blackburn’s signature was also highly sought after as the 21-year-old from Berwick had already established a reputation as one of the top young midfielders in the Women’s VFL for her fleet feet, calmness in traffic and defensive talents.
The new league will hold a draft in October for all clubs to round out their playing lists.
