The Western Bulldogs are expecting a big challenge in their 2019 AFLW season-opener against the Adelaide Crows on Saturday night.

Premiership midfielder Kirsty Lamb believes the Crows – who hold a 2-0 advantage against the Bulldogs in AFLW matches – will be one of the teams to beat this season.

It’s a battle of the two AFLW premiers – with the Crows’ line-up again set to be spearheaded by stars Chelsea Randall and Erin Phillips.

“It’s a really good challenge to start off with,” Lamb told westernbulldogs.com.au.

“They’re going to be up there with one of the best teams this year and what better way to start off… in Adelaide, against Adelaide.

“Obviously they’ve got some extremely good players in their group, and if we can contain them as much as possible, fingers crossed we get across with a win.”

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Lamb insists it’s a completely new year – which coach Paul Groves has also reminded the group – and that entering as reigning premiers will not cause any distractions.

“Not really – to be completely honest, it hasn’t been spoken about amongst the girls and I think that’s a great way that we’ve approached it,” Lamb said.

“Paul’s been pretty clear on that. What happened last year was last year… now it’s a new season, we’ve got a new group and some new teams in, so it’s all new.

“We can’t wait to get started.”

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The 24-year-old is a new addition to the Bulldogs’ leadership group this season, joining Hannah Scott, Nicole Callinan and Isabel Huntington, who will support co-captains Katie Brennan and Ellie Blackburn.

“I’m really, really honoured to be voted in by my teammates, and I’m hoping I can do a good job for them,” Lamb said.

“I hope not to change too much now that I’m in a leadership group and just keep playing footy the way that I play.”