Home ground advantage utilised.
The Essendon faithful were in full voice at Windy Hill in the Club’s AFLW home opener on Sunday afternoon, willing the Dons home to a memorable one-point win over the Eagles.
Facing a devastating defeat in the dying minutes after a go-ahead West Coast major, the home crowd mustered plenty of energy into both the Reynolds Stand and the surrounding hills as Sophie Alexander held her nerve for a match winning mark and goal.
Nearly 10 months on from their last fixture at the ground, the Dons showed plenty of courage to secure a second win on the bounce and open the year 2-0.
Defender Ellyse Gamble – who starred in the back half - emphasised the importance of that surge in momentum from the home ground following.
"It's so special to not only put on this guernsey every week, but to be able to go out there and play footy at Windy Hill means so much,” Gamble said.
“We love the atmosphere here, bringing along our friends and family, all the fans and community.
“Getting that goal in the dying seconds and hearing the crowd erupt, it was awesome.”
The emergence of young star Amy Gaylor was also on display last week, relishing uninterrupted time as an inside midfielder to the tune of 21 disposals and a maximum 10 AFLCA votes.
Bonnie Toogood’s two goals were crucial, with fellow mainstays Georgia Nanscawen and Maddy Prespakis again in good form to open the year.
The Dons have an exciting run of fixtures at their feet, jetting off to Darwin for a Dreamtime clash with Richmond on Friday night, before returning back home for another Windy Hill outing against Geelong on Sunday, September 7.
Get behind the girls throughout their fourth season in the competition with an AFLW Membership here.
