The Western Bulldogs have secured the vast majority of its emerging AFLW talent as it looks ahead to the 2021 season.
A period of AFLW expansion has seen the Bulldogs’ list transform since it’s premiership year in 2018, but a successful off season has seen the Club stabilise its crop of exciting youngsters and premiership stars.
The Dogs recruited seven new players in last year’s NAB AFLW draft, including number one pick Gabby Newton, with all seven recommitting to the Club for next season.
American recruit Dani Marshall, a rookie in her debut season, has been elevated to the primary list.
Only three players have departed the Club since the end of the 2020 – Nicole Callinan (retired), Aisling McCarthy (traded to West Coast) and Hannah Munyard (traded to Adelaide).
The Bulldogs strengthened their playing stocks during the recent sign and trade period with the inclusion of Collingwood utility Katie Lynch, a former first round draftee.
Through its trade deals, the Club was also able to secure three first round selections in the upcoming AFLW Draft (picks 2, 11 and 16), which will see its list of 30 finalised for the 2021 season.
“A key focus for us during this off season was to work on keeping the majority of our players together for 2021, which we’ve been able to achieve,” said Bulldogs’ AFLW Head of List Management and Recruiting, Mick Sandry.
“Last year we went to the draft with a strong hand and we were thrilled with the players we recruited. We believe they have a strong future in the game, and we’re excited to see them develop further.
“Katie Lynch was a fantastic acquisition for us in the trade period, and we’re eager to see what influence she can have.
“While we’ve been successful in maintaining the talent on our list, we’ll also head to the Draft in a strong position with three first round selections, which is exciting.”
Western Bulldogs 2021 AFLW playing list
Amelia Van Oosterwijck
Angelica Gogos
Ashleigh Guest
Bailey Hunt
Bonnie Toogood
Britney Gutknecht
Brooke Lochland
Celine Moody
Dani Marshall
Deanna Berry
Eleanor Brown
Elisabeth Georgostathis
Ellie Blackburn
Ellyse Gamble
Gabby Newton
Gemma Lagioia
Hannah Scott
Isabel Huntington
Isabella Grant
Katie Lynch
Katy Herron
Kim Rennie
Kirsten McLeod
Kirsty Lamb
Lauren Spark
Naomi Ferres
Nell Morris-Dalton