First-year player Isabelle Pritchard says being drafted to the Western Bulldogs was a ‘dream come true’.

The 18-year-old, who grew up supporting the club she now plays for, said having some familiar Western Jet products in her pre-season training group had made settling in that little bit easier.

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Isabelle Pritchard | 'It's been really exciting'

First year Bulldogs utility Isabelle Pritchard spoke to Bulldogs Media following the first week of the AFLW Pre-season.

“(On draft day) my entire family was so ecstatic, we were all so happy; it was a dream come true,” Pritchard told westernbulldogs.com.au.

“It was really nice coming into the Club and seeing Liz (Georgostathis) and Issy (Grant) – it was a bit less daunting.

“Having those couple of weeks (to voluntarily train) before the pre-season started was really good in order to meet everyone (else). It’s been really fun.”

Currently juggling her AFLW commitments with VCE Exams, Pritchard said training has provided an important outlet.

“It’s been a pretty full on few weeks, but it’s also been kind of good because footy has given me an opportunity to take a break from my studying and stop thinking about school for a while,” she said. 

Pritchard was taken with pick 16 in the 2020 NAB AFLW Draft, and at 178cm can play across all three lines.