Skipper Ellie Blackburn has been recognised in the opening round of the 2022 AFLCA AFLW Champion Player of the Year voting.

Blackburn was impressive in the Bulldogs’ seven-point win over GWS, registering 21 disposals, four marks, seven tackles and seven clearances.

She received nine votes from coaches Nathan Burke and Cam Bernasconi.

Remarkably, it is the sixth time Blackburn has polled seven votes or more in an opening round. 

Teammate Isabelle Pritchard earned four votes for her 19-disposal, six-clearance effort.

Celine Moody (three votes) and Gabby Newton (one vote) rounded out the Bulldogs’ vote-getters. 

The AFLCA AFLW Champion Player of the Year is an award voted by the AFLW senior coaches on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after each home-and-away game, acknowledging outstanding effort to an individual player in a season.

AFLW R1 – Western Bulldogs v GWS

9 – Ellie Blackburn (WB)

9 – Alyce Parker (GWS)

4 – Isabelle Pritchard (WB)

4 – Cora Staunton (GWS)

3 – Celine Moody (WB)

1 – Gabby Newton (WB)