In a devastating blow to Essendon’s AFLW finals aspirations, star forward and co-captain Bonnie Toogood has been sidelined with a serious ankle injury. The 26-year-old suffered a high-grade syndesmosis injury during the Bombers’ 36-point victory over Carlton in the final round of the regular season.
Toogood, who had already missed four matches earlier in the season due to an MCL injury, now faces a recovery period of around five weeks. This timeline effectively rules her out of Essendon’s entire finals campaign, a crushing setback for both the player and the team.
A Season Marred by Injury
The 2024 season has been a challenging one for Bonnie Toogood, with injuries disrupting her ability to consistently impact games. The opening round MCL injury saw her miss a significant portion of the regular season, and just as she was finding her form again, this latest ankle setback has prematurely ended her year.
Essendon’s head of medical services, Megan Smith, expressed the club’s disappointment, stating, “We are devastated for Bonnie. She has worked so hard to return from her previous injury, and to have her season cut short like this is heartbreaking.”
Leadership Presence Still Vital
Despite being unable to take the field, Toogood’s leadership and presence around the team will still be crucial during the finals series. As a co-captain, her experience and guidance will be invaluable to her teammates as they navigate the pressures of the postseason.
“While we are sad she won’t be on the field, we know her leadership will still be incredibly important to the side,” Smith said.
Bombers’ Finals Drought
Essendon’s AFLW side is aiming to break a 20-year finals drought for the club, with their last postseason victory coming in the men’s 2004 elimination final against Melbourne. The Bombers’ men’s team has since lost seven consecutive finals, while the AFLW side fell to Geelong by 18 points in last year’s elimination final.
Ruck Concerns Compounded
Toogood’s absence is compounded by the loss of star ruck Steph Wales, who tore her ACL two weeks ago. Wales’ injury was felt keenly in the final round, with Carlton dominating the hit-outs 51-9. Essendon’s replacement ruck, Matilda Dyke, faces a daunting task this week against in-form Fremantle ruck Mim Strom, who is expected to be named in the All-Australian side.
Tough Road Ahead
Essendon’s first finals assignment is an elimination final against Fremantle at Fremantle Oval. The Bombers will need to find a way to combat Strom’s influence and match the Dockers’ intensity around the ground to keep their season alive.
While the loss of Toogood is significant, the Bombers have shown resilience throughout the season and will be determined to make their mark in the finals. The club and its supporters will be hoping that the team can rise to the occasion and honor Toogood’s leadership and dedication with a strong postseason performance.
