Western Bulldogs vice-captain Ellie Blackburn says winning her sixth Best and Fairest left her lost for words on Wednesday night.
The 30-year-old was awarded the team’s highest individual honour for the 2025 AFLW season at Crown Aviary, and while she is no stranger to the stage, said she was in a ‘mind of disbelief’.
“I honestly thought that maybe ‘Pritchy’ might have one. Rylie and then Alice potentially in the top three…so for my name to be up-and-amongst it is certainly not what I thought coming into tonight,” Blackburn said.
“I’m extremely grateful to be recognised amongst the Club and I’m extremely proud right now. I’m in a bit of shock to be honest.
“The calibre of talent that we have on our list is incredible.
“Rylie Wilcox, coming second, in my opinion she is the most courageous player there is in the competition. The way she throws her body at a contest is truly remarkable.
“Isabelle Pritchard who, honestly, the sky is the limit. That woman is going to go to new heights in years to come.
“She’s one heck of a footballer and I’m excited to watch her growth and development.
“We have some really talented footballers that I’m excited to play footy with over the next however many years.”
With last night’s recognition, Blackburn has now won six of the past seven Club Best and Fairests.
It’s a stark contrast to 12 months ago, where she had missed majority of the campaign rehabbing a long-term foot injury.
“It was really challenging coming back from the injury, but I had a great support network around me,” she said.
“Knowing Mua was going through long-term injury as well, her and I sort of spent a lot of time together in the gym and doing cross-training sessions and relentless hours rehabbing our injuries.
“I sort of found strength in people like that who supported me throughout my experience.
“The Club really backed me in. The support staff and the physio team really managed my loads and what I needed to do to be able to get back out there.
“This award is equally theirs as it is mine right now. This is an acknowledgment and recognition of the work that those people have put into my body, being able to get me out there consistently this season.”
