Ellie Blackburn is one of only two players across the AFLW to receive the perfect score from the coaches after her standout 23-disposal, one goal performance on the weekend.

Blackburn now jointly leads the 2018 Shadworth Financial AFLCA AFLW Champion Player of the Year race with Brisbane’s Sabina Frederick-Traub.

Bulldogs captain Katie Brennan received 8 votes, and midfielder Emma Kearney picked up 6.  Brooke Lochland was the only other Bulldog poll.

Blackburn set the tone early by kicking the Dogs’ third goal of the first term, and was an instrumental figure in their 26-point season opening win over the Dockers, taking a game-high seven marks to go her 23 touches.

Every round, the AFLW coaches vote for the best players from their game. The coaches vote for five players, giving them a mark from 1-5.

The maximum a player can score is 10 (with five votes from both coaches).