The Western Bulldogs will head into the 2020 AFLW season in a strong position after re-signing nine players on the third day of the 2019 AFLW Sign and Trade Period.

The re-signings include 2019 co-captain Ellie Blackburn, defender Hannah Scott and rising star Isabel Huntington, who have committed to the Club for at least the next two AFLW seasons.

The Club’s first pick in the 2018 NAB AFLW Draft, Eleanor Brown, 2018 Rising Star nominee Bonnie Toogood and the Bulldogs’ first ever AFLW goalkicker Kirsten McLeod have also committed to the Club for the 2020 AFLW season.

Midfielders Kirsty Lamb and Naomi Ferres, and key defender Lauren Spark, have signed two-year deals. 

Blackburn said she is excited about what the future holds for the Bulldogs after the Club retained the key group of developing and experienced players.

“It’s super exciting to have signed for the next couple of years and I’m really looking forward to continuing to be a part of the red, white and blue,” Blackburn told Bulldogs Media.

“I really do enjoy the place and I think (two-year contracts) give you a bit more of a sense of security, so you can really thrive in your role a little bit more knowing that you’ll be here for the next couple of years. 

“All of our supporters should be really looking forward to seeing us grow and develop, knowing that we’ve got a young list but a really exciting list too.”

Western Bulldogs General Manager of Women’s Football, Debbie Lee, said the introduction of two-year contracts has helped significantly with player retention during a busy player movement period.

“Being able to lock in players for a longer period of time is incredibly beneficial to both the Club and the player,” Lee said 

“To be able to re-sign some of our younger, developing players for a longer period is really exciting.  Those players will continue to grow and improve over their next two years within our program.”

As it currently stands, the Bulldogs head into the 2019 AFLW draft with picks 4, 18, 32, 46 and 60 in the National Draft, which is likely to be held in October this year.

Western Bulldogs re-signings at April 10, 2019:

Ellie Blackburn (Two Years)
Eleanor Brown (One Year)
Naomi Ferres (Two Years)
Isabel Huntington (Two Years)
Kirsty Lamb (Two Years)
Kirsten McLeod (One Year)
Hannah Scott (Two Years)
Lauren Spark (Two Years)
Bonnie Toogood (One Year)