Katie Brennan and Ellie Blackburn have been announced as co-captains of the Western Bulldogs AFLW team for the 2019 season.

The pair will lead a leadership group of six, which also includes Hannah Scott, Nicole Callinan, Isabel Huntington and Kirsty Lamb.

Voted for by the players, the new-look leadership group has expanded to introduce Huntington and Lamb after their outstanding leadership throughout the 2018 season, while Scott and Callinan continue their roles in 2019.

Western Bulldogs AFLW coach Paul Groves said that both Blackburn and Brennan have proved themselves as exceptional leaders over their past two seasons with the Club, and will deservedly share the captaincy.

“It’s a really exciting core group that the team has voted in as their leaders,” Groves told westernbulldogs.com.au.

“There were two outstanding girls who, over the course of two years have really evolved and been incredible leaders for this Club.

“The strength we will receive with both Katie and Ellie working together will allow our group to continue to evolve both on and off the field.”

Brennan said that she is looking forward to sharing her role with Blackburn after working closely together across their first two seasons.

“I’m thrilled to be standing alongside Ellie in an official co-captaincy role in 2019,” she said.

“Our bond has strengthened immensely over the past two seasons, and she has really stepped up in times of need to lead our girls incredibly well.

“I’m so proud to be a captain of our group again for the third season of AFLW and I believe this partnership will be able to support, challenge and lead our team to new heights in 2019.”

Blackburn captained the Bulldogs’ 2018 premiership team in the absence of Brennan, who was suspended.

“I’m so proud to represent the Western Bulldogs as a co-captain alongside Katie this year,” Blackburn said.

“I have so much belief in this group and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together in 2019 and beyond with an expanded leadership group.”