The Western Bulldogs have appointed reigning best and fairest winner Dom Carbone as VFLW captain for 2024.

Carbone played all but one VFLW game in her debut Bulldogs’ season last year, while also featuring as a top-up player in the 2023 AFLW season.

She enjoyed an impactful campaign, finishing as a joint Club Champion and named in the Team of the Year.

Carbone said she was grateful for the opportunity and humbled to be voted in by her peers.

“I’m so honoured and humbled to be named captain of the VFLW team this year,” Carbone said.

“To be recognised as a leader and captain of a prestigious club like the Western Bulldogs is something a young girl from Darwin would’ve never dreamed of - it fills me, my family and where I am from with a lot of pride.

“The calibre of talent and potential this group has, not only as players but also as people it what excites me the most.

“We are building something so special this year and I can’t wait to see what is in store for us.”

Carbone will be supported by three co-vice captains in Mary Sandral, Courtney Ugle and Chloe Leonard.

Nicole Callinan, Sarah Skinner and Mali McLeod form the seven-player leadership group.

L-R: Sarah Skinner, Nicole Callinan, Chloe Leonard (VC), Dom Carbone (C), Courtney Ugle (VC), Mary Sandral (VC), Mali McLeod.

“Within the squad, everyone has displayed great leadership so we are very lucky to have a great group of leaders,” Carbone said.

“These girls not only display great skills on the field, but help drive the standard at the club by leading through their actions.”

Sandral served as Dogs’ captain last year, while Ugle and Leonard are new additions to the Bulldogs’ squad this season, having crossed from Essendon VFLW and Geelong VFLW respectively.

Both Ugle (co-captain) and Leonard served as skippers of their clubs in 2023.

2024 VFLW BULLDOGS SQUAD >> SEE MORE

Callinan is no stranger to the red, white and blue, having played 24 AFLW games including the 2018 premiership.

She was also in the AFLW Bulldogs’ leadership group from 2017-2019.

Skinner and McLeod enter their second seasons as VFLW Bulldogs, recognised by their peers as first-time leaders this year.

The VFLW Bulldogs will host North Melbourne in their season opener this Saturday afternoon at Mission Whiten Oval.

The team will be announced at 12pm on Friday.