The votes are in, and the 2019 AFLW skippers have spoken.
They’re predicting a big year for Ellie Blackburn, with the Western Bulldogs co-captain tipped to claim the competition’s best and fairest award this season.
Blackburn got the nod from four of her fellow captains, ahead of Adelaide Crows star Erin Phillips (two) and four other players.
The 23-year-old finished fifth in the competition voting last season with six votes, eight behind then-teammate and now North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney (14).
Blackburn was runner-up in the Club’s best-and-fairest count in 2018 behind Kearney, and the duo were joint winners in 2017.
AFLW | ROUND 1 MATCH INFORMATION
The Bulldogs’ opening round opponents, Adelaide, have also been predicted to fire in 2019 – with three captains believing they are grand final bound this season.
Full survey results (from womens.afl)
Which other team apart from your own is most likely to reach the Grand Final?
3 – Adelaide
3 – North Melbourne
2 – Greater Western Sydney
1 – Brisbane Lions
1 – Melbourne
Who will win the competition best and fairest?
4 – Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs)
2 – Erin Phillips (Adelaide)
1 – Courtney Gum (Greater Western Sydney)
1 – Chelsea Randall (Adelaide)
1 – Elise O'Dea (Melbourne)
1 – Karen Paxman (Melbourne)
Who will kick the most goals in the competition?
4 – Erin Phillips (Adelaide)
2 – Phoebe McWilliams (Geelong)
2 – Katie Brennan (Western Bulldogs)
1 – Darcy Vescio (Carlton)
1 – Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne)
Who will win the NAB AFL Women's Rising Star?
4 – Nina Morrison (Geelong)
3 – Maddison Prespakis (Carlton)
1 – Tyla Hanks (Melbourne)
1 – Alyce Parker (Greater Western Sydney)
1 – Jordan Allen (Collingwood)
Who will be the best player from another sport?
4 – Ash Brazill (Collingwood)
2 – Yvonne Bonner (Greater Western Sydney)
1 – Shae Sloane (Melbourne)
1 – Chloe Dalton (Carlton)
1 – Sarah Rowe (Collingwood)
1 – Erin Phillips (Adelaide)
(Captains polled – Adelaide, Chelsea Randall; Brisbane Lions, Leah Kaslar; Carlton – Bri Davey; Collingwood – Steph Chiocci; Fremantle – Kara Donnellan; Geelong – Melissa Hickey; Greater Western Sydney – Amanda Farrugia; Melbourne – Elise O'Dea; North Melbourne – Emma Kearney; Western Bulldogs – Ellie Blackburn)
