Reigning Best and Fairest winner and AFLW Co-Captain Bonnie Toogood has signed a long-term deal to remain a Bomber for at least the next four years.
Toogood’s recommitment continues an exciting period for the Bombers, with young stars Sophie Van De Heuvel and Steph Wales both penning four-year deals last week.
A member of the Bombers’ inaugural AFLW playing squad and lifelong supporter of the club, Toogood is excited to keep paving the way in red and black until at least the end of 2027.
“I’m so excited to have committed to Essendon for another four years. We are building something incredibly special here, and I can’t wait to continue to be a part of it,” Toogood said.
“Leading this club has been a great adventure over the past couple of years and it’s something I’ve really wanted to push myself with and continue to grow my leadership. I love guiding my teammates, and pushing them to grow and develop is something I take pride in.
“The future at Essendon is shaping up very brightly in my eyes. Having the finals experience last year has been fantastic and invaluable for our team. That high-pressure environment is a great experience for us to build upon over this off-season, and it puts a lot of hunger in our bellies to keep improving individually and as a group. It’s exciting to see what we can produce in 2024 and beyond.”
Toogood is fresh from a stellar campaign in 2023, averaging a career-high 19 disposals, six marks and five tackles per game and establishing herself as a focal point of the forward line in her second year with the club.
Ranked equal 10th in the competition for goals last season with 16, the 26-year-old capped off her season with individual honours galore, including All Australian team selection as Vice-Captain and the Bombers’ Best and Fairest award.
Named Co-Captain for a second year running alongside Steph Cain last season, Toogood’s exceptional leadership helped steer the Bombers to their first-ever AFLW finals appearance, showing marked improvement from their first year in the competition.
Winning Essendon’s Best Club Person award in each of her two seasons at the club so far, Toogood has been a key factor in developing their young squad and is enticed by the opportunities that await the group in the years ahead.
AFLW List and Recruiting Manager Georgia Harvey said the club is thrilled with Toogood’s decision to re-sign.
“Bonnie joined our club before our inaugural year and quickly made an impact, demonstrating her leadership throughout the program. This was reflected in the team voting her in as Co-Captain alongside Steph Cain for our first two seasons,” Harvey said.
“As a leader, Bonnie is highly respected throughout the entire club and will continue to play a role in shaping the AFLW program’s team culture and environment. As a player, Bonnie is determined to continuously grow her game and push her teammates to become the best players they can be. She is always looking at ways to develop and refine her own craft but also puts in the time to work with her teammates to strengthen their development.
“We are thrilled to have Bonnie commit for at least the next four years alongside Sophie (Van De Heuvel) and Steph (Wales). These extensions are fantastic for our team's long-term stability and an excellent reflection on the AFLW program we are establishing at the club.”
