FOR the Western Bulldogs, things are only getting better with new talent and a refreshed list this season. Tam Hyett will hope that the young pups will grow together and create some synergy this season.

TEAM LIST

#1 Elizabeth Snell

#2 Ellie Blackburn

#3 Isabella Grant

#4 Isabelle Pritchard

#5 Elaine Grigg

#6 Maggie Gorham

#7 Deanna Berry

#8 Dominique Carruthers

#9 Eleanor Brown

#10 Jasmyn Smith

#11 Elle Bennetts

#12 Brooke Barwick

#13 Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner

#14 Jorja Borg

#15 Sarah Hartwig

#16 Naomi Ferres

#17 Elisabeth Georgostathis

#18 Britney Gutknecht

#19 Heidi Woodley

#20 Cleo Buttifant

#21 Zimmorlei Farquharson

#22 Keely Coyne*

#23 Jessica Fitzgerald

#24 Aurora Smith

#25 Ellie Gavalas

#26 Analea McKee

#27 Lauren Ahrens

#32 Vaomua Laloifi*

#33 Alice Edmonds

#37 Rylie Wilcox

#58 Brianna McFarlane

Kaylee Kimber

* inactive

SQUAD CHANGES

In: Jasmyn Smith, Lauren Ahrens, Vaomua Laloifi, Zimmorlei Farquharson, Analea McKee, Ellie Gavalas, Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, Brooke Barwick, Elaine Grigg, Cleo Buttifant, Jorja Borg, Kaylee Kimber

Out: Kirsty Lamb, Katie Lynch, Celine Moody, Gab Newton, Richelle Cranston, Kirsten McLeod, Daisy Bateman, Bailey Hunt, Millie Brown, Gemma Lagioia

FIXTURE

Match 1: August 31 vs GWS at Manuka Oval

Match 2: September 6 vs Port Adelaide at Mission Whitten Oval

Match 3: September 12 vs West Coast at Mission Whitten Oval

Match 4: September 18 vs Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena

Match 5: September 22 vs Collingwood at Victoria Park

Match 6: September 27 vs Sydney at Mission Whitten Oval

Match 7: October 5 vs North Melbourne Tasmania at Arden Street Oval

Match 8: October 11 vs Essendon at Mission Whitten Oval

Match 9: October 17 vs Carlton at IKON Park

Match 10: October 27 vs St. Kilda at Ballarat

Match 11: TBC vs Fremantle at Fremantle Oval

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

What does their refresh mean for the club?

After a tough season for the Bulldogs, a third of the list was turned over in what is seen as a refresh and rebuilding period. In addition to that, Nathan Burke was ousted with Tam Hyett installed alongside a new-look coaching panel, which features a new women’s football General Manager.

For the experience that the Bulldogs have lost in Kirsty Lamb, Celine Moody, Richelle Cranston and Kirsten McLeod, they have not brought in many seasoned campaigners. In addition, Vaomua Laloifi would have played a key role in their season if not for an ACL injury which occurred during pre-season.

Lauren Ahrens looms as a key recruit bringing 47 games of experience as a consistent force in defence in her time at the Gold Coast, as does former Roo Ellie Gavalas who will link up with former captain Ellie Blackburn in the midfield.

Will the young pups fire?

The Dogs ended up with the number one pick in the AFLW draft last season, which saw them take key forward Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner as well as Brooke Barwick (pick four), Elaine Grigg (pick six) and Cleo Buttifant (pick 11).

They also brought in Zimmorlei Farquharson (17 games played), Jasmyn Smith (five games), Analea McKee (six games), Jorja Borg (one game) and Kaylee Kimber (three games). Farquharson has sat out a season on Brisbane’s inactive list while the others have not had much experience in the league.

This season is so important for these young players because if the club can develop them and keep this list together, they can become a force when they’ve grown together in many years to come.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Deanna Berry

With Ellie Blackburn relinquishing the captaincy, Deanna Berry was voted as the club captain for the 2024 season. Blackburn herself shares similar traits with Berry, such as courage, tenacity and the respect of the playing group.

Blackburn will help Berry adjust to the role as vice-captain with Isabelle Pritchard, Isabella Grant, Jess Fitzgerald and Elle Bennetts rounding out the wider leadership group.

Berry has played 47 games for the Dogs, contributing 18 goals as a tough midfielder. Last season she had an injury-interrupted season, averaging 15.6 disposals, two marks and three tackles.

PREDICTIONS

This year is not about the wins and losses for the Western Bulldogs, as much as it is about their processes and the way they play together. That being said, it is expected that they will finish within the bottom four of the ladder, most likely fighting not to finish in 18th.