With the Bulldogs’ AFLW S7 campaign coming to a close, we’re looking back at some of the team’s top performers in 2022.

The rise of Alice Edmonds this campaign was one of season seven’s best stories.

Delisted at the end of 2021 and signed as a replacement player for the then-inactive Gabby Newton ahead of season 2022, Edmonds’ arrival as a second ruck couldn’t have been more important for the Bulldogs.

But this season, she was second ruck no more – assuming the number one ruck role as Celine Moody spent more time in the forward-line.

Edmonds finished the home-and-away season ranked first for total hit-outs (270) and hit-outs to advantage (90), delivering a silver service to her teammates.

Her dominance in the ruck, along with 51 total tackles (ranked second at Dogs) saw her deservingly earn a maiden All Australian squad inclusion, and is likely to be one of the favourites come selection night next Tuesday.

By the numbers

Average hit-outs: 26

Average disposals: 9

Average clearances: 2

Average tackles: 5

Season highlight

Edmonds was as solid as ever in season seven, but it was her round eight efforts against St Kilda that really got the footy world talking.

The 24-year-old dominated the Saints, winning 39 hit-outs (12 to advantage), laying nine tackles and notching up eight disposals.

That standout performance catapulted her into All Australian contention as she continued to impact across the final month of the season.

Her ability to bring the pressure at 189cm tall is no easy feat – and no fluke either, with that match one of four this season where she laid eight or more tackles. 

What they said
“She’s been unreal. Not many people would know this about Al, but she’s a full-time cop, so she literally works all day and then comes into training – like a lot of girls do – but the way she has been able to improve has just been out of this world. We’ve been so impressed with her. She gives the team another vice to work with.” – Katie Lynch