The Western Bulldogs will field three debutants in their season seven opener against GWS at IKON Park on Sunday afternoon.

Teenage draftees Rylie Wilcox and Heidi Woodley will make their AFLW debuts, while Daisy Bateman will play her first game in the red, white and blue.

The trio impressed in the practice match a fortnight ago, backing up strong pre-season training form to be rewarded with selection in round one. 

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Teammates Gabby Newton and Jess Fitzgerald broke the news to Wilcox and Woodley respectively via FaceTime, with coach Nathan Burke confirming the three additions in Friday night’s team meeting.

Wilcox is a classy and crafty small midfielder-forward, who was taken with the Bulldogs’ first pick (21) in the 2022 National Draft.

Woodley is a versatile and speedy midfielder with the ability to rotate out on the wing if needed, who was selected with pick 37 in the same draft.

Bateman managed 22 goals from 34 games for North Melbourne across three seasons, joining the Kennel via the 2022 Sign and Trade period.

The Bulldogs will finalise their team of 21 on Saturday 27 August at 5.30pm, ahead of Sunday’s round one clash with the Giants at IKON Park.