Bulldogs fans love the contested ball warriors. A thirst for the tough stuff, committed to the contest, ball winners that make things happen for their team. They’re going to love Ellie Blackburn.
 
While the 21-year-old’s ball winning abilities are well known, she’s also a ferocious tackler thanks to the years spent chasing down her siblings in the families’ front yard in Berwick in Melbourne’s south-east.
 
“Since an early age I was out the front kicking the footy with my brother and sister and trying to practice my tackles on them,” she told wesetrnbulldogs.com.au
 
But as for the rumour that sometimes things would get a little heated at home, Blackburn laughed as she recalled one of her bigger hits on her sister.
 
“[There were] maybe a couple of tears here and there,” she said.
 
“I may have once tackled my sister through a window.  I’m not too sure how well that sits with Mum and Dad, [but] It did happen.
 
“The passion for the game is there at least!”
 
No-one would question Blackburn’s passion for the game of football, and they certainly wouldn’t question her talent.
 
The former Demon has dominated at VFL level this season, being named best on ground eight times in eleven games and is expected to be the beating heart of the Bulldogs midfield for years to come.
 
When not playing football, she is a Trainee Manager at Aldi Supermarkets, a position she says has helped her grow as a leader, something that didn’t come naturally.
 
“I’ve always been the person that’s been in the background and hasn’t said too much, but it’s brought me out of my shell a bit,” she said.
 
“I’ve learnt to stand up and delegate roles here and there and that’s helped me out in my leadership [on the field].”
 
Off the field, Blackburn maintains a close relationship with her family, especially her brother and sister, despite being used for tackling practice growing up.
 
Alongside Mum and Dad, they’re her two biggest supporters.
 
“They’re really excited for me," she said.
 
“Especially over the last couple of years they’ve both been really involved in my football and wanting to know a bit more about what’s happening and where I’m heading with it all.
 
“So when they found out that I’d be playing at the Western Bulldogs they were stoked for me.”