Brush looking to end AFLW season on a high

Mar 17, 2017 - 3:44 AM Having spent years plying her round-ball trade in some of the world's top leagues, Matildas representative Ellie Brush is about to add a season of AFLW for the Giants to her impressive resume.

The 28-year-old is one of a handful of elite athletes from other sports who have played in the league's inaugural season.

Brush played the last two seasons with the Houston Dash in northern America's top flight and is the long-standing captain of Canberra United in the W-League, with her commitments in a losing semi-final ruling her out of the Giants first match.

"Something I really set out to do was bring my leadership skills from my years of experience in soccer over to Aussie rules," Brush said.

A defender in soccer, the diminutive Brush has made the transition to attacking weapon in the AFLW.

"They started me in defence just because I was new to the game and that may have been the easiest position they thought," Brush said.

"Being a defender in soccer as well I sort of had that defensive mindset.

"But I've really relished the chance to go up forward and be the dangerous person instead of being the one doing the chasing."

Saturday night's match against the Western Bulldogs shapes as a battle to avoid being the league's inaugural wooden spooners and Brush says there is no lack of motivation within the team.

"Western Bulldogs are a quality outfit," Brush said.

"They know themselves they probably haven't performed to their potential. They'll come out all guns blazing."

The Giants' final game of the year with the Bulldogs is their first at Manuka Oval in Brush's hometown of Canberra.

She admits there have been some disappointing lows in a season where they have been near the foot of the ladder, but they have been balanced with dizzying highs including their only win against Melbourne.

"The way the Australian public has got on board with AFL Women's has been absolutely incredible," Brush said.

"I've loved every moment of it."

Source: AAP