Peter Ryan (The Age)

A fit Brennan will make a huge difference as her marking power allows the ball movement to be less precise. Ellie Blackburn is close to the best ball winner in the game and Emma Kearney is tough and skilful. The No.1 pick Isabel Huntington will also add some much needed class. 

Lauren Wood, Chris Cavanagh (Herald Sun)

Her 2017 AFLW season was crippled by injury and had her play only two games but look out for a big year — starting in Round 1 — from Bulldogs captain Katie Brennan. The power forward is coming off winning a league best and fairest and leading goalkicker award in the VFL Women’s competition.

Sarah Black, Marc McGowan, Michael Whiting, Ben Guthrie and Dinny Navaratnam (AFL.com.au)

An air of cautious optimism surrounds the Western Bulldogs this year after a disappointing injury-ravaged inaugural season. The club identified goalkicking as a key problem – they booted 31.51 last year – and put plenty of work into that aspect of the game over the pre-season.

Furthermore, Katie Brennan should be vastly improved, having managed just two games in an injury-plagued 2017. She is a genuine star of the competition. Brennan and on-ballers Emma Kearney and Ellie Blackburn form a trio that is almost unstoppable when operating at its peak. 

Armed with last year's No.1 selection Isabel Huntington, who could partner Brennan in attack, the Dogs are set to put in a more impressive showing in 2018