Essendon has placed key defender Brooke Brown on their inactive list for the 2026 AFLW season. 

Scans last week revealed a bone stress injury for the 29-year-old, who’d been experiencing ongoing pain in her right leg following a training session.

It is a recurrence of the injury from last season that kept Brown sidelined for an extended period early in the year. Given the lengthy timeline surrounding a return-to-play for Brown, the Club has unfortunately had to call an early end to her 2026 season.

Brown has featured 19 times for the red and black since moving across from North Melbourne in 2023. 

“We’re extremely disappointed for Brooke, who has battled a number of injury setbacks in recent seasons,” Essendon’s GM – AFLW Aysha Ward said. 

“Our medical team will support Brooke through this extended rehab period, as she finds new ways to support her teammates off-field.

“We will look to utilise the additional list spot with an injury replacement player in the coming days.”

Essendon open their campaign against the Lions at Windy Hill on Sunday, August 16.