Maddison Gay’s 2026 campaign was one of growth, milestones and memorable moments, with the experienced Bomber continuing to play an important role both on and off the field.

Despite battling injury setbacks throughout the season, Gay embraced a new role in the midfield, bringing valuable experience and leadership to the Dons’ emerging group.

The season also brought plenty of personal highlights, including her 75-game milestone, first goal in the red and black and the opportunity to represent Australia against Ireland.

Reflecting on the season that was, Gay shares her thoughts on the group’s development, her personal journey and the exciting new chapter awaiting her off the field in 2027.

Gay on... initial post-season reflections

It was really disappointing. You go into an off-season and then lead into pre-season thinking you’re going well throughout the drills and different phases of pre-season. 

Then, to produce what we did, it wasn’t up to scratch or the standard we thought we’d be at. But, you find glimpses of positivity in certain players. 

Emily Gough, for example, has basically just completed her first proper full season after a knee injury. You’ve just got to look at those sorts of bright spots in the darker times. Getting a season under the belts of those players will put us in good stead.

We’ve obviously got to go into this off-season with our heads down again. 

We worked on our fitness last season, and the league has gone up another level, so we need to do that again. We need to work on our fitness, but also get into the gym, get stronger and develop our skills as well.

Gay on… assessing her season on a personal level and the impacts of her injury setback

In my first year at the Bombers, I played a full season, and then I had the knee injury. 

You go into the off-season thinking you’re going to be all good. I was probably fitter than I’d ever been, which was great. You really want to back up that good form, but you don’t expect to have another injury. 

The shoulder injury was a new one for me. 

I’ve had some knee injuries before, so the shoulder has been something different. Part of my game is taking overhead marks, so that’s been impacted.

Transitioning into the midfield was a new role as well. I was trying to help bring some leadership into there, with different voices and a different body. 

Sometimes you play in positions you might not necessarily be needed in, or positions you haven’t trained in before.

I’m keen to get into this off-season, rehab properly and get another pre-season under the belt.

Gay on… leadership roles and new positions this season

The past few seasons, I’ve been in the backline, so you form strong relationships with the defenders. 

It was good to be involved with the midfielders more and understand what’s needed in there.

Even if I go back down to defence next year, I can understand the perspective of what the midfielders need from me, which has been good. 

I’ve been able to build those relationships even further in the midfield. 

If they need someone different to come in, I’ve played a season there now, so I can help them out. I think that’s been beneficial.

It’s also helped with my knowledge of the game. I started my career as a midfielder but haven’t played there for a few years, so it was good to bring that part of my game back.

Gay on… the Australia v Ireland experience

It was awesome.

I had a really tough start to the year, so having that good news come through was unreal and telling my family was awesome too.

Being able to represent Australia was really special. You never think that’s going to be a possibility when it’s an Aussie game.

Playing alongside the likes of my best friend, Eb Marinoff, as well as Jaz Garner, Ash Riddell, and just the elite players in the league, it was incredible. 

I hope it will continue in the coming years so we can see the next generation get their chance.

Gay on… her first goal in the red & black

You miss kicking goals as a defender. 

As I said, playing in the midfield means you get to take on different roles, so I found myself in the forward line.

The timing of the goal helped give us some momentum to go on and win our first game of the season.

The celebrations were a bit dramatic, but it was a lot of fun.

Gay on… her 75-game milestone

It was awesome to share it with a close friend, Alex Morcom, who was celebrating her 50th game.

There are also other players who started at the same time as me who are already around the 100-game mark. 75 games was a big milestone for me, especially because of the injuries and the fact that I’ve been in the game for 10 or so years now.

It was special to finally reach that milestone, and my family were really proud. 

You reflect on your career and realise when it hasn’t been easy, you give yourself a little pat on the back for how far you’ve come.

Gay on… her off-season plans

I’ll have shoulder surgery once the season finishes. Then straight to rehabbing that injury and building my fitness back up. 

When you go in and out of the season with injuries, your fitness can drop off fast.

Building a good base to come into 2027 will be a priority, especially focusing on strength in the gym.

I’ve just got to get that shoulder right. It’s a tricky area because it’s a 360-degree joint, so it’ll be a slow rehab process

Gay on… the exciting news of motherhood

It’s coming around very quickly, the start of February will come around so fast.

I’m getting my shoulder done soon because I want to be able to help and hold the baby when February comes around. That’ll be an adjustment with new routines. I’m hearing there’ll be a lack of sleep. 

The timing of the bub arriving will be good and it’ll give me a few months before the season starts.

I’m very excited. It’s a new adventure, with new ways to get to training and get through training. It’s going to be a lot of fun.