Gun midfielder Ellie Blackburn has received praise from coaches Nathan Burke and Mick Stinear in round one of the 2022 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award.

Despite going down to Melbourne by 24 points, the Bulldogs’ skipper earned seven votes for her efforts, which included 21 disposals, seven tackles, three marks, four intercepts and a goal.

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Blackburn keeps Dogs rolling with ripping running finish

Ellie Blackburn makes it two early second-half goals in a row for the Dogs with this classy finish

She was the sole Bulldog to poll.

Since the award was introduced for the 2018 season, Blackburn has not missed a beat in the opening rounds.

Remarkably, Blackburn is the first AFLW player to poll at least seven or more coaches’ votes in five opening rounds, since the award was introduced in 2018.

Round 1 – Western Bulldogs v Melbourne

9 votes – Eden Zanker (MELB)

8 votes – Tyla Hanks (MELB)

7 votes – Ellie Blackburn (WB)

3 votes – Kate Hore (MELB)

3 votes – Libby Birch (MELB)

 

Ellie Blackburn – Round 1 coaches’ votes since 2018

2018: 10 votes

2019: 7 votes

2020: 10 votes

2021: 8 votes

2022: 7 votes