The bulk of Essendon’s inaugural AFLW squad will be back for the 2023 season.
The Bombers announced on Tuesday that 25 players had recommitted to the club.
Reigning best and fairest winner Maddy Prespakis and co-captains Bonnie Toogood and Steph Cain headline the exciting group.
Every player who finished in the Bombers’ top 10 in the 2022 AFLW best and fairest has re-committed to the club, including Daria Bannister, Jacqui Vogt, Catherine Phillips, Stephanie Wales, Georgia Gee, Sophie Van De Heuvel and Paige Scott.
Amber Clarke, Mia Busch, Amelia Radford, Mia Van Dyke and Ash Van Loon will also wear the red and black alongside fellow 2022 draftees in Scott and Wales.
After being placed on the inactive list for season seven, former Victorian Football League Women’s premiership captain Georgia Nanscawen will return to the senior list following her ACL injury.
Alana Barba, Joanne Doonan, Danielle Marshall, Alex Morcom and Renee Tierney will all return for second seasons in the red and black, as will Sophie Alexander, Jessica Wuetschner, Ellyse Gamble and Lily-Rose Williamson.
New faces to the side are Kodi Jacques, Brooke Brown, Brooke Walker, Leah Cutting and Georgia Clarke, who all arrived through the sign and trade periods.
AFLW list and recruiting manager Georgia Harvey said the club was excited to welcome back 25 players from its inaugural season.
“It’s a great sign for the program and culture we are building at the NEC Hangar for women’s football to have 25 players re-commit from our inaugural year,” she said.
“We will continue to learn and grow as a group but have laid some strong foundations that will help set us up for sustained success moving forward.
“What is clear, is the belief in where we are going, which is a fantastic reflection on the broader club for embracing our AFLW team.
“To add the quality of people and players that we have during the priority signing period, trade period and delisted free agency period is a testament to the program and excitement amongst the group as we head into season eight.”
