Ellie Blackburn will become the Western Bulldogs’ first 50-game AFLW player when she takes to the field on Friday night.
It’s yet another achievement the 27-year-old skipper can add to her resume, which includes three Club best and fairests, three All Australians and an elusive premiership medallion.
Since arriving at the Club as a marquee player, Blackburn has established herself as one of the competition’s elite midfielders.
And in a full circle moment, both her first AFLW game and 50th AFLW game will come against Fremantle.
“I’m really excited to play 50 games – obviously in Indigenous Round as well, it’s a pretty special occasion nonetheless, so I’m looking forward to the game on Friday night,” she told media mid-week.
“I’ve grown up a lot with this football club – it definitely feels like home to me.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity the club gave me to start off with, and grateful that they’ve seen my development and been able to support me with that along the way.”
“I’d love for someone like Lamby to be doing it with me as well – she’s only one game shy so will be of it next week - but for me personally, I’m really proud to be the first Bulldogs player to reach 50 games.
“To wear our colours out there for that milestone is something I’m really excited about.”
Consistent, composed and courageous; Blackburn’s stats speak for themselves.
Career averages of 19 possessions, three marks, four clearances and four tackles.
At least one goal on 18 occasions. Five of those matches bringing two or more.
But maybe the most impressive record of them all? She has never missed a match.
Yes, you read that right. Blackburn has played in every Western Bulldogs AFLW game.
It’s a remarkable feat, and an incredible show of reliability and resilience.
“Her competitiveness and her willingness to keep pushing and pushing and pushing, even though she’s exhausted, because that’s what the team needs her to do – that’s as good as anyone that I’ve ever been involved with,” coach Nathan Burke told CODE Sports last month.
The praise doesn’t stop there.
“It’s pretty fitting that she’s the first one at the Club to reach 50 games - being our captain for a long time now, she’s clearly a great leader of our football club,” teammate Kirsty Lamb said.
“Blackers is just one of those teammates that you love having – I think I had a picture of her on my wall before I came into the league,” Jess Fitzgerald shared.
Katie Lynch said: “she is relentless on the field, and really caring off the field”, while De Berry described her as “caring, ferocious, and willing to put her body on the line for her teammates.”
Bailey Hunt might have summed it up best however.
“She’s that once in a generation type player. I just admire her consistency and how she’s dominated the top level for so long, and probably will until she retires.”
Loved and respected not only within the four walls of Whitten Oval, but outside of it too, the Bulldogs’ faithful and wider AFLW community will have an opportunity to celebrate the cold killer that is Ellie Blackburn on Friday night.
50 matches down, and plenty more still to come in the red, white and blue.
