The Western Bulldogs have secured midfielder and dual-athlete Elle Bennetts from GWS, in exchange for pick number 28 in the 2021 AFLW National Draft.

Originally from Victoria, Bennetts was initially signed by the Giants as a rookie ahead of the 2018 NAB AFLW season, having never played football before.

The former netballer played in four premierships with the Victorian Fury in the Australian Netball League, and represented the NSW Swifts on three occasions during the 2019 Super Netball season.

Bennetts made her AFLW debut in Round 1, 2018 and immediately impressed with her elite running and foot skills.

She claimed the Giants’ Rising Star award in her first season, before making the switch from an attacking wing role to defence, and named in the 2020 All Australian squad of 40.

The 31-year-old played all nine of the Giants’ AFLW matches this year, taking her career tally to 30 games.

Bulldogs’ AFLW Head of List Management and Recruiting, Mick Sandry, said Bennetts will be a welcomed addition to the Kennel.

“We’ve been following Elle closely for a few years now and we are really excited to bring her into our football club,” Sandry said.

“She is a really versatile footballer and we see her being able to add a different dynamic to our midfield group, whilst her ability in defence has been proven in her reading of the football and line-breaking running.

“She’s a great person of really strong character and maturity, and the decision to return home to Victoria I know wasn’t easy. We know in Elle we are getting a player that is going to add so much to our program not just on the field but off it as well.”

The 2021 AFLW Sign & Trade period commenced last Monday, and will end on Wednesday at 2pm.