Rival AFLW captains have gone cold on reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs.
Not one of the other nine captains nominated the Bulldogs when asked which team they expected to face in this season’s grand final.
The captains were polled for Wednesday’s season launch, with the third AFLW season to start on Saturday.
Inaugural premiers Adelaide and expansion team North Melbourne, who have recruited heavily, were the popular picks with three votes apiece.
GWS were next with two, while last season’s losing grand finalists Brisbane and Melbourne scored one vote.
Last season, only one captain correctly picked the Bulldogs to make the grand final.
Bulldogs co-captain Ellie Blackburn was the standout tip to win the league’s best and fairest award with four votes, two ahead of Adelaide co-captain Erin Phillips.
The Crows key forward also scored four votes for who would kick the most goals.
Geelong’s No.1 draft pick Nina Morrison was the popular choice to win the Rising Star award with four votes.
Collingwood recruit and former Australian netballer Ash Brazil polled four votes for a player from another sport who would do best in the AFLW.