In a ‘relieving’ first victory for the Bombers, Maddi Gay humbly expressed pride for her teammates despite an individual performance worthy of praise.

Maddison Gay. A name well respected within and beyond the Bombers stratosphere.

It took only one season at the Dons for Gay to be recognised as worthy of the vice-captain position. A natural leader, equipped with eight years of AFLW experience. Displaying strength on field with a career average of 15.1 disposals, 2.7 marks and 3.6 tackles and a true role model to her teammates off the field.

Unless told, few would know that this was Gay’s second appearance following a month’s stint on the sidelines due to a poleaxing shoulder injury sustained in Round 2. In only her fourth game of the season, she slots straight back in making genuine impact.

They’d been written off for the day before halftime, but the Bombers weren’t done yet. An onslaught of pivotal moments - including that of the magic produced by Gay - would see their opponents limited to one behind for the second half.

“We had to lift and that doesn’t mean you just rely on certain players, every single player that walks on the field, you’ve got to lift yourself and just go another level. I’m really proud of the team, I think they did that and that’s where that comeback came from.”

The Dons were sharp going forward, capitalising at 56.5% efficiency inside 50 with only 23 entries to the Giant’s fifty. Gay showed off her own attacking abilities with one goal, four inside 50’s and four score involvements.

Despite having found home in the Dons back five, the vice-captain broke through and took on midfield minutes in the second half. Time used wisely to inspire, contributing to the side’s seven centre clearances for the match, exceeding the teams season average.

“I try to bring my experience… I have played back for a long time, but I think just having some fresh voices, a new face in the mid helped lift a bit more energy… I just said, ‘Alright, what can I do?’ it’s just comms, get around the girls where I can help, take players where I need.”

Gay and Prespakis were catalysts of the second half resurgence, coming alive in the third complementing each other’s game stunningly.

A Prespakis inside 50 from a handball receive born from a nifty fake and spin by Gay on the wing demonstrated this. The partnership galvanised by Gay’s kick on the run inside 50 resulting in a Prespakis goal at point blank.

After drifting forward late, Gay found herself with Sherrin in hand off the back of a clean, contested mark. Staring down the barrel of her first goal as a Don, she took a breath and slotted it perfectly.

All harnessed energy was released in a roar that reverberated across Henson Park, igniting a spark in her Dons teammates.

“I carried on a little bit… I think the team just needed a lift so a few celebrations went on and a few high fives. I thought if I could try get the energy up with the team, we could win this game.”

Gay clocked off for the day with 21 disposals, five clunks and one goal. She didn’t stray far from her defensive abilities laying five tackles being awarded Liberty’s Player of the Match.

We’re bound to continue seeing the effects of Gay back on the park, fit and firing.