AFLW: 22 Dogs re-sign

Link

The Western Bulldogs will head into the 2019 AFLW season in a strong position, re-signing 22 players including captain Katie Brennan and vice-captain Ellie Blackburn.

Premiership coach Paul Groves said the retention of these 22 key players was a focus heading into the re-signing period.

“It was really important for us to keep our core group together – a group that has helped create a great culture, resulting in the team achieving the ultimate success last season,” Groves said.

“The girls were really keen to remain together to continue the journey, with the aim of defending our premiership.

“With the expansion of the competition in 2019, getting the signatures of 22 of our existing girls is really exciting and a great sign of their bond.”

Groves also recently signed a contract extension, keeping him at VU Whitten Oval until at least the end of the 2020 AFLW season.

Western Bulldogs General Manager of Women’s Football Debbie Lee said the retention of 22 key players, and Paul Groves as head coach, puts the team is in a strong position heading into 2019.

“To have so many players re-commit for the 2019 season is a testament to the Club and the overwhelming success of our women’s program in 2018,” Lee said.

Four players have not been contracted for the 2019 season, including inaugural AFLW season players Laura Bailey and Kim Ebb, and 2018 recruits Jess Anderson and Rachel Ashley.

“Laura, Kim, Jess and Rachel will always be part of the fabric of our Club and all contributed to the 2018 premiership,” Lee said.

“We wish them all the best in their future football endeavours.”

The Bulldogs head into the 2018 AFLW draft with picks 10, 23, 26, 34, 45 and 56 in the National Draft, which is likely to be held in October this year.

Western Bulldogs AFLW list (at June 4):

Brooke Lochland
Ellie Blackburn
Katie Brennan
Kirsten McLeod
Deanna Berry
Monique Conti
Isabel Huntington
Nicole Callinan
Lauren Spark
Ellyse Gamble
Naomi Ferres
Hayley Wildes
Libby Birch
Tiarna Ernst
Bailey Hunt
Hannah Scott
Aisling Utri
Kim Rennie
Emma Mackie
Kirsty Lamb
Bonnie Toogood
Angelica Gogos

So apparently we had Dana Hooker from Freo (think Nat Fyfe, down to the Freo jumper with a number 7 on it) over the line to join, but somehow stuffed it up at the last minute.

Just wouldn't be a Dogs flag without a swift piece of "list management".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Happy Days

So apparently we had Dana Hooker from Freo (think Nat Fyfe, down to the Freo jumper with a number 7 on it) over the line to join, but somehow stuffed it up at the last minute.

Just wouldn't be a Dogs flag without a swift piece of "list management".

---

That's just a list of resigned players not new ones I think you will find.
Maybe we have to use the draft to get her, and might have already organised it with our first pick knowing what previous clubs have chosen already.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ledge

That's just a list of resigned players not new ones I think you will find.
Maybe we have to use the draft to get her, and might have already organised it with our first pick knowing what previous clubs have chosen already.

---

Yeah nah, she re-signed with Freo.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Axe Man

Yeah nah, she re-signed with Freo.

---

Maybe we are chasing Hannah Mounsey.
Big build, hard to move and kicks long goals.

What was our compensation for losing Emma Kearney?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mantis

What was our compensation for losing Emma Kearney?

---

There is another thread dedicated to that subject - but in the end we got pick 26 for losing 4 players including Kearney.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ledge

Maybe we are chasing Hannah Mounsey.
Big build, hard to move and kicks long goals.

---

I'm not touching that one!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Axe Man

I'm not touching that one!

---

She (or he) was only banned from last years draft and is putting her name up for this one.
Interesting to see if she gets drafted.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ledge

She (or he) was only banned from last years draft and is putting her name up for this one.
Interesting to see if she gets drafted.

---

It's she.

Re the Dana Hooker thing - I understand that it wasn’t a dogs stuff up, but because the women can nominate which state they want to play in and can’t be forced to move states, effectively we were unable to provide freo with a satisfactory trade - swapping or trading draft picks is effectively meaningless when freo is only picking from women who nominate wa, they have no competition. I surmise none of our list (at least those freo might have been willing to take) wanted to move to wa. Aflw rules again proven to be not fit for purpose.