Isabelle Pritchard will co-captain the Western Bulldogs alongside Deanna Berry for the 2026 NAB AFLW Season.
While Berry enters her third season leading the team, Pritchard, 24, has been elevated to the captaincy for the first time.
Since being drafted with Pick 16 in 2020, Pritchard has played 55 games for the club she grew up supporting.
She was crowned the 2024 Bulldogs AFLW Best and Fairest, and last year was named in the All Australian squad of 42.
Berry became the Club’s third captain in 2024 and has played 65 AFLW games since the competition’s inception.
“We’re thrilled to announce that Pritch will join De as co-captain for the 2026 season,” Patrice Berthold, Executive General Manager Women’s Football, said.
“Following a thorough and collaborative review process, it became clear that a co-captain model presented the best leadership structure for our program moving forward.
“The model reflects our commitment to shared, distributed leadership and provides a strong platform for the current season while also creating a stronger pathway for the future, ensuring our next generation continue to develop.
“De has established herself as a respected leader who brings connection, care and consistency to our program, while Pritch has earned significant recognition for her professionalism, standards and leadership growth over recent years.
“Together, they bring complementary strengths and perspectives that will help drive both on-field performance and off-field connection, while continuing to develop leadership capability across the playing group.”
Rounding out the new-look leadership group are Jess Fitzgerald, Isabella Grant and Alice Edmonds, who has been elevated to the leadership group for the first time in her career.
“As our playing group evolves, it's important that our leadership structure evolves with it,” Berthold said.
“This new-look group balances strengths, experience with fresh perspectives, providing the right mix to lead our program now while continuing to invest in the future.
“Alice has demonstrated strong leadership across a sustained period, with her elevation into the group a reflection of the confidence the program has in her ability.”
Ellie Blackburn, Lou Stephenson and Elle Bennetts will not form part of the formal leadership group in 2026, however each will continue to make an important contribution through their experience, influence and commitment to culture and standards. They will also play a role in supporting the development of the next generation of leaders.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have a playing group filled with people who demonstrate strong leadership qualities in different ways," Berthold said.
“As part of this year’s leadership review, Ellie made the selfless decision to step aside from the formal leadership group to help create opportunities for the next generation of leaders to emerge and grow.
"Ellie’s experience, leadership and commitment to the Club ensure she will always remain one of the most respected and influential leaders within the Western Bulldogs AFLW program."
Elisabeth Georgostathis will continue her leadership journey as part of the Emerging Leaders Program, providing a structured opportunity to further develop her leadership capability and continue her growth as an influential leader within the group.
Western Bulldogs 2026 AFLW Leadership Group
Co-captains: Deanna Berry and Isabelle Pritchard
Leadership group: Alice Edmonds, Jess Fitzgerald and Isabella Grant
