El Chaston has been named Essendon VFLW Captain for the 2024 season.
The 22-year-old takes on the role in just their second season with the club, after a solid second half of the 2023 season helped propel the side to a preliminary final berth.
Moving from Collingwood's AFLW program last year, Chaston quickly channeled their top-level experience within a new playing group and became a staple in the side's midfield.
Chaston’s brave approach to the contest and leadership around teammates have solidified the midfielder as a popular member of the playing group, first serving as skipper in the club’s practice match against the NTFL Buffaloes in January.
Fellow on-baller Sophie Molan will serve as Vice-Captain for the 2024 season after a brilliant first season with the Bombers, winning the club’s 2023 VFLW Best and Fairest award.
Molan averaged 22 disposals per game in her final five matches of last season, claiming the Best Finals Player award in the process and endearing herself to the squad with her powerful style of play.
Joining Chaston and Molan in the leadership group will be a mix of emerging talent and established campaigners in Olivia Manfre, Sarah Ford and Manaia Huta.
Head of VFLW/AFLW List and Recruiting Manager Georgia Harvey congratulated Chaston on embracing the role and noted the potential of the leadership group as a collective under new Senior Coach Cherie O'Neill this season.
"El joined our program last year and quickly made an impact within the group through their leadership and care for their teammates. With AFLW experience, El is a fantastic person to lead our program and set the standards that are required for our team," Harvey said.
"It’s a new era at Essendon VFLW with Cherie O'Neill coming on board as Senior Coach, so we look forward to seeing Cherie and El lead this program for 2024."
