IT'S FITTING that as the Western Bulldogs notch up their 50th AFLW match, so too does skipper Ellie Blackburn.

The 27-year-old is yet to miss a match since her debut in round one, 2017, and having played her first AFLW game at 21, has grown up alongside the competition.

"It's pretty nice to know I've finally been able to reach a milestone after being in the competition for six seasons, and now this is season seven. I'm really excited to be able to play 50 games, and in Indigenous Round as well, which is a special occasion," Blackburn said.

"I've changed a heap. Particularly as a leader as well, it's something the club's supported me well in, I've had a ton of support around me to allow me to be the best player and leader I can be. 

"I've grown up a lot with this football club, and it definitely feels like home. I'm so grateful for the opportunity that football club gave me to start off with, and grateful they've seen my development and helped me along the way.

"I'd love for someone like 'Lamby' (Kirsty Lamb) to be doing it with me, she's one game shy, so she'll be next week, but for me personally, I'm really proud to be the first Bulldog to play 50 games, and to wear our colours."

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Coincidentally, both her first and 50th game will come against Fremantle, with Friday night's match at Ikon Park as the Dogs' home base undergoes renovations. 

"Obviously playing in a Grand Final and winning that (in 2018) was pretty remarkable. I have really strong memories of playing in the first game at Whitten Oval, it was a packed crowd, 10,000 people packed out Whitten against Fremantle on a Saturday night, and it was a beautiful evening," Blackburn said.

"There's been a number of special moments, witnessing a couple of girls debut, a few magical moments like the Adelaide win last season was pretty special, there's been some good, exciting moments to be part of."

Blackburn suffered a badly cut bottom lip in the first quarter of the Western Bulldogs' win over Port Adelaide, but is seeing the bright side of the uncomfortable injury.

"The lip's good, it's recovering well. Not ideal to get this in the first minute of the game, unfortunately had to deal with it throughout the remainder of the game, but it's healing nicely.

"It wouldn't stop bleeding in that first quarter, so I spent most of it on the bench. Eventually when it stopped, they glued it up and I played the rest of the game. After that, I got some stitches. It's looking much nicer now, almost like I've got some free botox along the way, so I'm not mad about it."

Carlton trio Jess Dal Pos, Elise O'Dea and Breann Moody will also play their 50th AFLW games against Port Adelaide this weekend, while Collingwood's Sabrina Frederick will reach the milestone against Geelong.

Greater Western Sydney will play its 50th AFLW game, fittingly against new crosstown rival Sydney.