AFLW star Katie Brennan leaves Western Bulldogs to sign with Richmond for 2020 season

Western Bulldogs AFLW co-captain Katie Brennan has quit the club to sign with expansion team Richmond for the 2020 season, while the Dogs have also lost a premiership defender.

Western Bulldogs AFLW co-captain Katie Brennan has left the club to sign with Richmond for the 2020 season.

Brennan has inked a two-year deal with the Tigers and is the expansion club’s first official signing.

The star forward captained the Bulldogs for the first two seasons before leading the club with co-captain Ellie Blackburn this year.

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Brennan, 26, endured three tough seasons with the Bulldogs as she battled ankle and quad injuries in her first two seasons and was sensationally suspended for the club’s premiership win in 2018.

She played every game in what was a disappointing season for the Bulldogs this year, finishing last in Conference A.

“I feel like I need a fresh start with my football,” Brennan said.

Katie Brennan in her new colours.

“It’s been a pretty challenging few years with some ankle injuries and missing the Grand Final.

“This is a fresh and exciting start, to build something really special and be a pioneer here at Richmond. It’s something that I will hold close to my heart.”

Brennan admitted it was tough to relay her decision to her teammates and premiership-winning coach Paul Groves.

“I gave my heart and soul to that club, but sometimes in life you have to have those difficult conversations and continue to move through to the next chapter,” she said.

“I think we’ll always have really strong relationships. I’ve definitely gone with their blessing, I believe.

“We’ve parted on amazing terms and I’ll always speak highly of my time at the Bulldogs.

“I hope they would speak highly of me also. I gave a lot to that club (but) it’s an amazing thing to have a fresh start.”

Katie Brennan has left the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs said they were disappointed to lose their co-captain.

“Katie has been a foundation player of our women’s program, is a co-captain of our group and someone we have supported through some difficult periods, including injury and the tribunal process on the eve of our history-making AFLW Premiership,” Bulldogs football boss Debbie Lee said.

“While we do understand that the current period of the competition’s expansion means that player movement is now common, the nature of one-year AFLW player contracts has made list retention difficult.”

Premiership defender Libby Birch is also set to depart the Bulldogs after requesting a trade to Melbourne.

The Bulldogs will now work with the Demons to facilitate a deal.

The AFLW sign and trade period started on Monday and will run until 18 April before a second period runs from April 23-26.

Originally published as AFLW star Katie Brennan leaves Western Bulldogs to sign with Richmond for 2020 season