WHAT initially looked like a horror year for the Western Bulldogs turned into a season of development, with the Dogs stringing together four wins from their last seven games and finishing outside the bottom six in the 2024 AFL Women’s season. Still holding a top 10 selection and a second round pick, they will be able to add more youth to a list brimming with young talent.

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2024 RECORD: 12th, 4-7, 63.1%
2024 PICKS: 7, 25, 48

LIST CHANGES:
IN: Lou Stephenson (Hawthorn), Pick 48
OUT: Eleanor Brown (GWS), Keely Coyne, Jorja Borg, Elizabeth Snell, Aurora Smith, Brianna McFarlane (delisted), Pick 43

FIRST PICK:
Pick 7

The Western Bulldogs are in a good spot to select a player based on needs or best available, given a variety of types will be there. An option for Pick 7 would be lifelong Bulldogs supporter Sierra Grieves. While not adding the height, the Vic Metro and overall AFLW Under 18s MVP would add a high production ball-winning talent to the midfield and provide another key onballer around the stoppages. Her defensive pressure is a highlight and would work well at the club.

If they go tall, then Central District’s Charlotte Riggs is a good shout. Already having aded her Bulldogs’ premiership teammate Elaine Grigg 12 months earlier, Riggs brings a similar energy to the group, and her exciting play and ability to play on all three lines will be something the Dogs love, particularly after moving on some talls. However the Dogs could pounce on Emma McDonald if left on the board.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 25, 48

The Bulldogs were able to keep hold of their second selection as well, and it could be the opposite to their first selection. If the Dogs went tall with Pick 7, then they might go smaller with Pick 25, or vice-versa. Given the club tends to like explosive or taller midfielders, then Northern Knights’ Zoe Hargreaves would fit that bill. She, along with West Australian Lily Paterson might be good shouts to fill a midfield void, but both are capable of playing in other roles.

If the Dogs went smaller with Pick 7, then perhaps a tall such as Taya Chambers or Esther Schirmer might be on the cards. Another Western Jets defender in Lou-Lou Field would be a great pairing with Grieves, while Zoe Besanko is another Western Bulldogs supporter who could be in the mix.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Will the Bulldogs favour the Central District trend or potentially go for homegrown talent?
– Could the Dogs add further speed to the list or go for size?
– What do the Bulldogs do with Pick 48?