Katie Brennan will lead the Western Bulldogs’ AFL Women’s team this season after being named captain following a players vote on Sunday.

The 24-year-old has represented the Bulldogs since the inception of the AFL Women’s Exhibition Series, and was selected as one of the Club’s marquee players in July 2016 alongside Ellie Blackburn.

Brennan, Blackburn, Nicole Callinan and Hannah Scott will make up the 2017 leadership group.

Western Bulldogs Women’s coach Paul Groves said that Brennan is the consummate professional and a natural leader.

“Katie is an outstanding individual to have around the football Club, Groves said.

“Her work ethic is second to none, and her pride in the jumper is inspiring to the group.

“We’re all embarking on this historic journey together and it’s a credit to Katie that her teammates have chosen her as the one they want to lead them.”

Brennan’s first taste of competitive football came as a fill-in for her brother’s under eights team, where she kicked seven goals as a late inclusion.  

Success has followed since, winning eleven successive premierships, the last three with Victorian Women’s Football League powerhouse Darebin Falcons.

In 2015, she won the inaugural Susan Alberti Award as the Western Bulldogs’ Women’s Team Best & Fairest Player from the AFL Women’s Exhibition Series.

The Bulldogs open their season season on Saturday, February 4 under lights at Victoria University Whitten Oval.