Round one was already big enough, let alone with the added inspiration of Essendon Captain Bonnie Toogood lining up for her 75th career game.
Windy Hill plays host to the skipper’s moment in an opportunity to celebrate one of the Club’s greatest players and leaders over the course of its four-season stint in the AFLW competition to date.
Already established as a Premiership player from her stint with the Western Bulldogs, Toogood has taken her career to new heights since coming across to her childhood club, growing from an exciting prospect to one of the competition’s bona fide star forwards.
Coming into her own after being bestowed the Co-Captaincy alongside Steph Cain in 2022, Toogood formed an inspired partnership with the former Docker and handled the added responsibility with aplomb.
In her second season as a Bomber, Toogood became a force – a career-best 16 goals, 19 disposals per game as a true CHF and a maiden Club Best and Fairest. In due reward for a stellar campaign, she was also honoured as Vice-Captain of the All-Australian team.
While her brutish attack at the aerial contest and on-field leadership stand out on gameday, it’s her character around the NEC Hangar that teammates will first point to.
She’s been the recipient of the Best Club Person previously and enters 2026 for her first campaign riding solo in the Captain role, reflective of her standing within the group as one of its most experienced and respected players.
This week, we spoke to Toogood about the milestone.
Although she’s quick to put emphasis on ‘team’ as opposed to ‘individual’, it’s hard not to see Toogood’s impact at the Club.
Youngsters flooding through each season via the draft will frequently single the skipper out for her welcoming nature and vocal support on the track.
Responding to a 2025 season interrupted by an untimely suspension and some wayward goalkicking despite her usual good work up the ground, Toogood has hit the ground running this pre-season.
Starring in match simulations against Melbourne and Carlton, the 28-year-old looks primed ahead of her 10th season in the competition.
The Bombers' season opener against Brisbane gets underway from 12:35pm AEST today.
