The Bulldogs selected Snell with pick 27 in July's AFLW Draft following a 2021 season in which she won the Bendigo Pioneers' girls NAB League best and fairest.

Snell is one of five players who will make their AFLW debut for the Bulldogs against the Demons.

The tenacious 19-year-old midfielder, who didn't begin playing football until she was 15, was told of her selection by Bulldogs' coach Nathan Burke on Thursday night.

READ MORE - AFLW draftee Snell ready for hard work with Western Bulldogs

"The glimpses that we've seen of Snelly out on the track, and probably those who were at training on Tuesday saw her get the footy and take off, tackle and harass; it's something that our team needs," Burke said.

"It doesn't matter where we chuck you, you're just going to be you and you're going to be great doing it."

The Bulldogs will take on the Demons - tipped to be one of the top flag contenders this season - at the Whitten Oval from 7pm on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, the AFLW season opens tonight with St Kilda hosting Richmond at Skybus Stadium.

The game marks the coaching debut of Bendigo's Nick Dal Santo, who is at the helm of the Saints.

"The girls have been absolutely sensational," Dal Santo said on the Sounds of the Saints podcast this week.

READ MORE - Dal Santo named Saints' AFLW coach

"A new coach comes in with some new ideas, there are other new staff members, a new head of football in Tessie McManus, but they have been so receptive, ask brilliant questions, take an interest in others and love the program.

"As I sit here right now four or five months after getting the role, I can't ask anything more of the group."

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