Reliable defender Katie Lynch says she has taken lessons from her peers to help develop herself as a leader.

The 22-year-old has been elevated to the Bulldogs’ AFLW leadership group for season seven, joining Kirsty Lamb, Bailey Hunt and skipper Ellie Blackburn.

“Since coming into the Club, I’ve always seen Ellie, Lamby and Bails as really key personnel and pillars to what the Club needs as leaders,” Lynch said.

“I think they each have their own really unique ways of leading that kind of makes them the ultimate leadership group.

“I’ve tried to take lessons from them all on my journey so far, so I’m really looking forward to working with them and bringing my own spin to the group dynamic.”

Lynch has played 18 games in the red, white and blue since arriving at the Kennel in 2020, establishing herself as a key cog to the Bulldogs’ backline.

She said it was extra special to be voted in by her teammates, considering the quality of people within the playing group.

“It’s an amazing honour – to be voted in by your peers in any circumstance is pretty awesome, but to be voted in by our group in particular which is made up of such strong, confident young women kind of makes it extra special for me,” Lynch said.

“I was definitely surprised. It’s a position that holds such weight to be elected into the group – it doesn’t really seem real.

“I want to be a leader who can connect the group off the field, from the draftees right through to the senior players, and on the field I just hope to share as much knowledge, perspective and tools I’ve picked up along my way as I can.”

The Bulldogs will host GWS in a practice match this Saturday morning at VU Whitten Oval.