In a milestone step for Essendon’s AFLW program, the club completed its inaugural list tonight at the NAB AFLW Draft, with seven new Bombers becoming a part of the red and black family.
The Bombers selected Amber Clarke from Dandenong Stingrays with national pick No. four, and Paige Scott from GWV Rebels with national pick No.eight joined the club.
Joining Clarke and Scott at the NEC Hangar are Steph Wales (National pick No.32), Mia Busch (National pick No.35), Mia van Dyke (National pick No. 46) Amelia Radford (National pick No.62) and Ashley Van Loon (Victorian pick No.73).
Clarke claimed the 2022 NAB League Girls Best and Fairest, with the 169cm versatile forward kicking 18 goals, averaging 17 disposals throughout her 10 NAB League games, including a best-on-ground performance in the NAB League Girls grand final.
Lining up alongside Clarke in the red and black is Scott, a powerful forward who can also rotate through the midfield, using her speed to break away from opponents and hit the scoreboard.
Wales comes to the Bombers after a standout season in Casey Demons’ VFLW side and brings with her experience as a cross-code athlete as an elite basketballer.
The 19-year-old averaged 11.3 disposals across 11 matches for Casey Demons and used her height, 188cm, well in the ruck.
Joining Wales is Eastern Rangers captain and two-time club best and fairest Busch, a competitive defender and midfielder who uses her high work rate to win contests and get the ball moving forward.
Joining with pick No.35, Van Dyke is a tall, athletic utility who has used her clean skills and decision making to quickly transition from defence to attack while playing for Geelong’s VFLW side.
Another VFLW Bomber will step up to AFLW level with Radford picked up with National pick No.62.
The 27-year-old had an impressive VFLW season, averaging 21.5 disposals, 12.6 kicks and 8.9 handballs across her 16 matches for Essendon’s VFLW side.
In another addition to the Bombers’ midfield, Van Loon joins from Geelong’s VFLW side and is known as a combative midfielder who’s agile, regularly wins first possession and is competitive.
Essendon AFLW recruiting manager Harmit Singh said it was an exciting night for the club and he looks forward to welcoming the seven new Bombers.
“It’s been a really positive night and for us, it helps us close up out our list of 30 players for our inaugural season,” Singh said.
“We had a really clear plan in bringing in the best available talent early in the pool and we have added some really quality talent. Credit to our list and recruiting team who have been able to pull it together.
While we have bought in seven quality football, I think their characters are really strong and they will help set the standards for our inaugural season.”
In other exciting news for Essendon’s AFLW program, the club will continue its partnership with Liberty Financial as the official financial services partner.
Liberty’s logo will feature on the back of the match-day guernseys as it currently does for the AFL competition.
This announcement extends the partnership, which already sees the Liberty logo feature on the club’s VFLW playing shorts, the club’s media backdrops and match-day signage.
Liberty chief executive officer James Boyle said that Liberty was delighted to be a part of history as one of the oldest football clubs joins the AFLW.
“We’re delighted to partner with Essendon as it launches its first AFLW side and to help support improving awareness of women’s professional sport. We are passionate about diversity and inclusion and support the club’s much anticipated move into AFLW,” Boyle said.
“With Natalie Wood’s appointment as the club’s first AFLW coach, new recruits locked in and the Bombers’ already strong VFLW side, we’re confident that this team will make their presence felt from the very first siren. And we’ll be supporting them every step of the way.”
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