Western Bulldogs forward Izzy Huntington says the group is heading into the 2022 NAB AFLW season with no excuses.

The Bulldogs finished their 2021 AFLW campaign with a win-loss record of 5-4, and aren’t shying away from their 2x25 mantra – achieving two more premierships by the year 2025.

Huntington said the group is heading in the right direction, and is predicting further improvement this season.

“We’ve sort of had the ‘developing’ label on us for a few years now, and I think it’s time to ditch that now,” Huntington told SEN 1116 last week.

“We’ve got a young side, but I think we’re more than capable of pushing for a finals berth and hopefully a flag as well.

“I think we’ve really clicked recently, and the preseason so far has been really good in terms of connecting. We’ve had some great sessions on the track as well.

“I’ve got no doubt that we’ll perform really well - I think we have high expectations on ourselves now and won’t have any excuses in terms of using our relative age or that ‘developing’ label either.”

On-field, father-daughter Bulldog Issy Grant has impressed Huntington in particular, along with off-season additions Richelle Cranston and Elle Bennetts.

“The one that springs to mind (in terms of standouts) firstly is Issy Grant – she’s had a tough few years with some injury battles and hasn’t been out on the park much, but she’s been absolutely dominating this preseason so far,” the former number one draft pick said.

“She’s as fit as ever and is really gaining some confidence.

“The two recruits we brought in – Rocky Cranston and Elle Bennetts – have slid in perfectly too. They’re two gun players, and hopefully can tear it up as well.”

The Bulldogs will kick off their 2022 AFLW campaign with the Hampson-Hardeman Cup battle against Melbourne at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday, January 8. 

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