We’ve become accustomed to seeing Hannah Scott command the backline, but prepare to watch the 2018 All-Australian defender in a variety of positions this year.
Scott spent large portions of Sunday's win against St Kilda in the midfield to great effect, finishing with 17 disposals and three inside 50s, and indicated a move forward may even be on the cards in 2020.
"[Coach Nathan Burke] is pretty open about going where it's needed at the time. It could be midfield, it could be forward, it could be back, I'm not really locked down to a spot at the moment," Scott said.
"I think I'd be spending a little bit more time in the midfield this season, but it's just a rotational thing, I guess.
"It'll probably be more forward or mid, but it'll just be whatever the game calls for at the time. Whatever 'Burkey' says, goes."
The tough 29-year-old made headlines for a heavy but fair bump on Saint Nadia von Bertouch and doesn't plan to change her attack on the ball.
"I didn't think we were going to collect, but she got pushed into my path, and it all happened so quickly that I just thought about getting the ball and I didn't think about too much else," Scott said.
"I sat on the ground for a bit because I was so shocked with how quickly she popped up. You can see me sitting there, [but] I just loved how quickly she got up and trotted off. For me, that's what footy's about. You go hard and all you're thinking about is that football, but at the end of the day you shake hands, and what happens on the field stays there.
"At times, it gets you a bit fiery for that next contest, it gets your blood pumping a bit.
"It's great, the crowd involvement, and that's one of the great excitements for me playing here is the Doggies faithful that comes out. It gets so loud, so I'm excited for our pups who haven't played here yet, because that first time you hear it, it's not something you'll ever forget."
The Western Bulldogs will be hosting Melbourne on Friday night at VU Whitten Oval, playing for the Hampson-Hardeman Cup.
Named for women's footy pioneers Barb Hampson and Lisa Hardeman – the duo who developed the first women's national championships in 1998 – the two clubs originally played a series of exhibition matches in the mid-2010s before the establishment of AFLW.
"It all kicked off in 2013, I was wearing a Bulldogs jumper. I think I spent three games with the Bulldogs and then moved over to Melbourne," Melbourne midfielder Karen Paxman said.
"A fair bit of history there, and it's quite a significant match this Friday night and holds a bit more to it than just a normal round, so I think we're all excited to get out there.
"We've got a lot of girls who have played together and against each other in the past, so it's nice to see some familiar faces."
