The votes are in and Katie Brennan will lead the Western Bulldogs’ women’s team for a second year running it was revealed tonight.

The Dogs officially launched the 2018 season with an event at Greenfields in Albert Park where coach Paul Groves announced that the players had voted Brennan in as captain, with Ellie Blackburn again filling the role of vice-captain.

For the second straight year, Hannah Scott and Nicole Callinan complete the leadership group.

Brennan spoke to her teammates after the formal vote, and talked about how proud she was to accept the role.

“I’m so proud,” she said.

“I’m proud to be a part of this group of women.  I’m proud to be part of this team of support staff, I’m really proud to be part of this club.

“To be the leader of this group and this club and this team, it adds another element and I’m very humbled.

“Thank you for trusting me for another year and I know I have some incredible personnel around me in terms of the leadership group.  But the girls who weren’t up there on the board as well, there’s so much leadership within this group and I’m absolutely rapt.”

The key forward is one of the AFLW’s marquee talents and started last season strongly before injury restricted her to just two games.   A blistering finish to the season with the Darebin Falcons in the VFL last season was a stark reminder of what the 25-year-old is capable off in full flight. 

“For me I can’t wait to be out there this year with you guys on the field.  I felt so much a part of it and I was fortunate to sit back and enjoy the show but this year I’m going to do everything in my power to stay out there with you and give it my all, lead by example and be everything I think a leader should be.

“Again, thank you for having your trust in me and… here we go.”

 

The Bulldogs open their 2018 campaign on Sunday, February 4 against the Fremantle Dockers at Victoria University Whitten Oval.