Ellie Blackburn

With many years still remaining in her career, Ellie has achieved so much with her football and is looking forward to what the future holds.

Having started her career at Berwick Football Club where she dominated as a junior, Ellie is currently playing for Melbourne University in the VWFL whilst also having represented Melbourne Football Club in the Women's Exhibition games from 2013 to 2015, before playing for the Western Bulldogs in 2016. One of the highlights of Ellie's career was representing Victoria against Western Australia in 2015 where she put in an outstanding performance. However, this feat was beaten when Ellie was announced as one of the Western Bulldogs Marquee signings for the launch of the inaugural National Women's League in 2017 in what was a landmark day for Women's sport. 

Whilst the Western Bulldogs were disappointed with how there 2017 season ended up after being touted as potential Premiership favourites before the season started, Ellie and her teammates bounced back in 2018 to be clearly the best team in the home and away season. Beating Melbourne in the last game of the year cemented there first Grand Final appearance against the Brisbane Lions who had been there the year before. With the pressure going into the game as the favourites, it looked like there was going to be an upset as the Lions jumped to a lead in a wintery Melbourne day. Fortunately, the Bulldogs got rolling through some of their prominent players in Ellie, Monique Conti, and Emma Kearney to come away with a close win. This capped off a terrific season for Ellie as she finished Runner Up in the clubs Best & Fairest and in the All Australian team for a second consecutive season.

Season 2019 was frustrating for Ellie and the Western Bulldogs as they are unable to reach the heights of 2018. This was also compounded with Ellie suffering a concussion against Brisbane, however she bounced back to play the next week against Fremantle in WA which highlighted her resilience. Seasons 2020 & 2021 has seen Ellie and the Bulldogs get back to the form which took it to the Premiership in 2018. Ellie’s 2021 Season in particular was incredible where she was arguably the League’s best player over the first month. Having won the Club Best & Fairest again in 2021 and coming Runner Up in the League Best & Fairest, Ellie looks set for a huge 2022.

Outside of Ellie's football commitments, Ellie previously worked for the Ladder Foundation, before recently taking a role with the Pancake Parlour’s Head Office.

Playing Honours:

·         Women's Exhibition Game 2013, Pick 13

·         Women's Exhibition Game 2014, Retained Player

·         Women’s Exhibition Game 2015, Pick 6

·         Victorian Representative 2015

·         Western Bulldogs Marquee Signing 2016

·         Western Bulldogs Best & Fairest 2017 & 21

·         AFLW All Australian 2017, 18 & 21

·         Western Bulldogs Runner Up Best & Fairest 2018, 19, & 20

·         AFLW Premiership 2018

·         AFLW Runner Up Best & Fairest 2021