Round one never looked so good.
Three players will don the sash for the first time in front of a packed home crowd at Windy Hill this Sunday.
Maggie Johnstone and Nalu Brothwell will make their AFLW debuts, while Zoe Prowse will pull on the red and black for the first time since joining the Club during the 2025 trade period.
Coming in at pick No.10 in the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft, Johnstone has shone throughout her first AFLW pre-season, making an immediate impact through the midfield since arriving at the NEC Hangar.
Her aerial strength and physicality around the contest have been standout features of her game, with the young midfielder showing plenty of promise in her first season at the Club.
Locked into the sash until at least the end of 2029 following a recent long-term extension, Johnstone will now get her first chance to run out in front of a home crowd at Windy Hill.
Johnstone shares her excitement to represent the red and black on Sunday.
"I'm over the moon. It's an awesome feeling to be recognised alongside some great girls, and I can't wait to pull on the jumper and run out with my friends,” Johnstone said.
"It's been an awesome pre-season. I had a small injury at the start, so it's been a bit of a bumpy road, but I'm super excited to have come through and be here today.
"There's such great history and culture at the Bombers, so I can't wait to meet all the fans and have that home crowd behind us at Windy Hill."
Brothwell will join her fellow draftee at Windy Hill on Sunday afternoon, with the 18-year-old set to don the sash for the first time after a consistent pre-season.
Selected at pick No.50 in the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft, the versatile forward has been an exciting addition throughout the side’s pre-season matches, producing impactful moments and finding the scoreboard.
After making her mark in the lead-up to the season, Brothwell looks ahead to her first AFLW appearance and reflects on the impact the Club has already had on her.
"I'm just super excited – that's really the only word for it," Brothwell said.
"The girls have been so welcoming and kind; they've really made the transition to AFLW feel unreal.
"Debuting at Windy Hill against a top side like Brisbane is amazing, and I'm so grateful I get to do it with my teammates."
Joining the Dons as a free agent from Adelaide during the 2025 trade period, Prowse will make her Club debut against the Lions on Sunday.
After five seasons with the Crows, the 23-year-old has slotted seamlessly into Essendon’s backline throughout the pre-season, bringing range and versatility to the defensive unit.
Prowse arrives at the Dons with plenty of experience and accolades already under her belt, including a place in the 22Under22 side following a consistent 2024 campaign.
Now raring to go in the red and black, Prowse reflects on what it means to don the sash for the first time on Sunday afternoon.
“The Bombers have always been the team my family supports, especially on my dad’s side, so it’s been a dream to be able to pull on the guernsey. I’m just super excited for this weekend,” Prowse said.
“Living with a couple of the girls has changed things entirely and made it so much easier for me. Pre-season has been really good, the girls have been working so hard, and I just can’t wait for the weekend to put on a show and see how we go.
“Playing at Windy Hill is pretty incredible. There’s a lot of history there and hopefully we can go out and make the fans and whole club proud.”
Join the Dons this Sunday as they take on Brisbane at the Club’s spiritual home, Windy Hill, from 12:35pm (AEST).
