Western Bulldogs captain Ellie Blackburn has been named in the AFLW All Australian team for the third time in her career.
The star midfielder featured in the 2017 and 2018 teams, and remarkably is one of just four players to have been named in the 40-player squad every year.
Blackburn is the Bulldogs’ sole representative this season, named at half-forward.
The 26-year-old had an impactful 2021 campaign, averaging 19.6 disposals, 5.3 tackles and 3.2 clearances per game, while also contributing with five goals from her first four games.
The honour is another Blackburn can add to her decorated playing career so far, having recently been voted the AFL Players’ Association Best Captain, and named in the AFLW 2021 Team of the Year.
She also finished third in this year’s AFLPA MVP count.
2020 All Australian defender Isabel Huntington was also named in this year’s 40-player squad, but missed out on the final team.
2021 AFLW All-Australian team
B: S. Allan (ADEL), M. McDonald (GEEL)
HB: R. Schleicher (COLL), K. Lutkins (BRIS), J. Cuthbertson (FREM)
C: M. Conti (RICH), K. Bowers (FREM), G. Patrikios (STK)
HF: J. Garner (NM), K. Brennan (RICH), E. Blackburn (WB)
F: E. Phillips (ADEL), C. Molloy (COLL)
R: B. Moody (CARL), B. Davey (COLL), A. Parker (GWS)
Int: E. Marinoff (ADEL), B. Bonnici (COLL), D. Vescio (CARL), K. Paxman (MELB), E. Kearney (NM)
Previous Western Bulldogs AFLW All Australians
2020 – Isabel Huntington
2019 – Monique Conti
2018 – Ellie Blackburn, Hannah Scott, Brooke Lochland, Emma Kearney, Paul Groves (coach)
2017 – Ellie Blackburn, Emma Kearney
