It might still feel an eternity away for the players, but the 11th iteration of the AFLW season felt slightly more like reality for Essendon as they returned for their first day of pre-season on Monday.
Even with several players having already floated through the doors of the NEC Hangar over the last few months of a lengthy off-season, the palpable feeling of formality around the first official day isn’t lost on anyone.
Filtering in from 8am, players flock to the rooms in large numbers – housemates and best mates alike arm-in-arm for their first proper go on the track.
Emma Dineen, the Irish recruit fresh off flying into Melbourne just two days prior, is accompanied by emerging youngster Mia Busch as she gets acclimatised and starts to meet her new teammates.
Before even the first team meeting, a special introduction inside the NEC Hangar sees the entire program welcomed back in front of the entire Essendon admin and football staff.
CEO Tim Roberts and GM – AFLW Aysha Ward each gave spiels to the wider staff ahead of the pre-season officially commencing, bringing out the full list to kick off their return.
Dineen and former Crows star Zoe Prowse were acquainted with the Club alongside the two newest draftees in Maggie Johnstone and Nalu Brothwell, with their highlights displayed up on the newly installed screen in the indoor training area.
Natalie Wood’s first team address for 2026 sets a strong tone for the road ahead. A distinct ‘theme’ for each season has been a staple for the Bombers in their four seasons under Wood to date and this year is no different.
The meeting largely revolves around the opportunities of pre-season, the group’s training schedule and helping everyone to settle in. It’s also a chance to discuss an altered coaching structure.
With Rohan McHugh joining the Club as a full-time Backline and Pathways Coach, Ben Brown has now added to his position as Head of Development in assuming duties as Forwards Coach.
Long-serving Assistant Coach Tash Hardy will now take over the midfield group for the first time in her fifth campaign with the squad.
Following the meeting, the group hits the ground running in a literal sense, with the 1.6-kilometre time trial the first proper test of the pre-season.
Despite the nerves attached to any time trial, there are clear standouts and PBs across the board. Busch continues her year-on-year dominance of the run after a big off-season, claiming the best time amongst the group.
She’s closely followed by Matilda Dyke, Sophie Strong, Steph Cain and Amy Gaylor to round out the top five, with Maddi Gay also registering a solid time to finish sixth.
Maddy Prespakis starts her pre-season in awesome form with a personal best time, while ruck Steph Wales and defender Alex Morcom, along with youngsters Holly Ridewood and Nalu Brothwell all clock PBs with stellar runs.
In a promising sign for player availability heading into this pre-season, all but four injured players completed the time trial.
Those in rehab – including Brooke Walker off an ACL last year – are making strong progress and continuing to increase their running loads.
Moving into their line groups, a wide array of skill-based drills helped the squad dust off the cobwebs – Dineen didn’t look out of place in her first session, while experienced stars in Gay and Georgia Nanscawen looked in great touch on deck.
“The vibe is exciting. It always feels like the first day of school,” Nanscawen said.
“We had a big review over the off-season. We’re pretty honest that we didn’t finish anywhere near where we would’ve liked last year.
“The tone coming in this year is all about looking forward. (Today) has certainly set the tone for the week and the pre-season ahead.”
