Speaking at Tuesday afternoon’s launch of the Pride Game against Carlton, Brennan lauded the efforts of her team and underlined the importance of taking momentum into next season.

“There is a little bit of a feeling of the weight being lifted off your shoulders … but we still think every moment does count,” she said.

“It’s something we’re really trying to focus on, those small little moments. It kind of pulls you back from having to win the game or get into the finals, it’s more about executing and doing our best in those little moments.

“I think if you finish really proud, it’s something that will really lay a foundation of future success.”

Brennan’s sentiment rings true remembering the Bulldogs’ last game of 2017, a 32 point thrashing of the GWS Giants in Canberra.

They carried the momentum into 2018, winning five of seven regular season games and booking a grand final spot just 12 months after playing to avoid the wooden spoon.

Ellie Blackburn and Katie Brennan lift the Premiership cup

A win over the contending Blues may have a similarly restorative effect, and may even assist in convincing out-of-contract players to return to the Kennel for 2020.

“I think the more fun you have and the more the girls start to see some team footy being put out on the park and some results coming in our development, I think you get more buy-in and more girls want to be surrounded by each other,” Brennan said.

“We’ve got incredible change rooms here at the Bulldogs, we’ve had a lot of investment in our program and our people so [players leaving] is certainly not something that we’re worried about at this stage.”

A well-worn footy cliché tells says improvement must come from within. The Bulldogs can draw on star forwards Isabel Huntington and Brooke Lochland for inspiration, from their approach to injury rehabilitation and the edge they can give the team now and in the future.

The pair returned from serious leg injuries in Round 5 to add shape to a struggling forward line, and Brennan can see it has already boosted the team dynamic.

“The big ins that we’ve had over the last couple of weeks have just been massive for us, not only with the game style and the way that we play and having that representation up forward, but just for our group,” she said.

“I think we can all agree that we’ve all gone to another level in terms of how excited we all are to be out there playing together.

“There’s always a lot of team love with the Bulldogs.”

On a personal level, Brennan has enjoyed her first full season of AFLW since the league’s inception, and feels renewed enthusiasm for her footballing future.

“It’s been a really good season just to be able to build back in. I feel like I haven’t played any football in the last two or three years and it’s just been trying to get some continuity into my training and also being out on the park with the group.

“My biggest aim was to get through – touch wood – all seven games, to be able to play a full VFL season and continue to build, but also get the love of footy back and really enjoy being out there with our group which I certainly have done.”

The talismanic forward was on the sidelines for last year’s Pride game. On Sunday, she’ll lead her team out next to co-captain Ellie Blackburn and Carlton skipper Brianna Davey.

“[Last year’s match] was one of the games that I’ll really remember for the rest of my life.

“You had Brookey Lochland stepping up and kicking seven goals that day, and just a really incredible community feel.”

Thrilled to play for a club supporting greater inclusivity in football, Brennan highlighted the importance of the game and the Bulldogs’ support for LGBTQIA+ fans.

“I think football or AFL in general is just a snapshot of the community, and it’s a massive presence. If we can start telling stories … then we continue to break down barriers.

“For our two clubs to be telling that story and then individually to be telling your own story is really important.

“I’m super proud to be a part of it.”