Western Bulldogs AFLW coach Nathan Burke says Sunday’s season opener against St Kilda will be a great learning experience for his side, no matter the result. 

The new-look Bulldogs – led by first-year coach Burke – are excited for the challenge ahead in 2020. 

“I did have a bit of a chuckle when I first saw the fixture (and who we were playing) first up,” Burke said. 

“I was really excited about it though because it’s (not only) the first entry for the Saints as a home game with that ‘back to Moorabbin’ feeling, but for our girls it’s going to be an event almost. 

“They’ll be hyped up, so win, lose, or draw it’s going to be a real learning experience for our girls to be able to play in this sort of environment.” 

Having spent two years working alongside his now opposition coach, Peta Searle, to establish the Southern Saints VFLW and St Kilda AFLW teams, Burke said there’ll be a lot of similarities between his Bulldogs and the Saints when they run out on Sunday. 

“They’ll be hyped up, so win, lose, or draw it’s going to be a real learning experience for our girls to be able to play in this sort of environment.”

- Nathan Burke

“Peta will recognise a lot of what she’s done with her team, in our team,” Burke said. 

“Why? Because it’s the best way to coach and develop young women players. 

“I’ve learnt that off Peta the last two years, and I’d be stupid not to take a lot of it through to the Bulldogs as well.

“The good thing is it will be two similar teams going against each other, but they are a tad taller than us – we’re officially the shortest team in the league so have had to temper our game-plan around that a bit.”

Burke also confirmed star skipper Ellie Blackburn will play, having recovered from a hand injury she sustained in the practice match against Geelong a fortnight ago.