Essendon’s AFLW draft class of 2023 haven’t wasted any time in making themselves at home.

Since joining the club, Amy Gaylor, Chloe Adams and Emily Gough have impressed their more experienced teammates with a professional and diligent approach to their first pre-season, already showing levels of preparation and performance beyond their years.

For the trio, their first seven months in red and black have presented plenty of fresh opportunities as they adapt to a professional environment.

In the case of Gaylor, the immediate jump into the AFLW from completing year 12 studies has gifted a surprising amount of flexibility, both on and off the field.

“I actually found it weird to get used to (compared to high school life),” Gaylor said.

“(Last year), I was playing so many sports and had the school side to balance, so although pre-season’s been physically challenging, it’s actually given me a lot more spare time and I’ve been able to focus on extra craft around the club.”

“I feel like all three of us have adapted really well this pre-season, having that six months over the off-season really helped us integrate into the club and feel at home, so we’ve been able to hit the ground running based off that.”

Taken as a pre-selection ahead of last year’s draft, Gaylor is set to add a new layer to an evolving midfield mix at the Bombers with her elite athleticism and endurance.

Although utilised in a traditional midfield role for most of her junior career, Gaylor’s spent periods of the pre-season training with Essendon’s forwards and growing her game, providing a chance to learn from some experienced heads.

“I’ve always looked up to quite a few of our midfielders but in spending a bit of time forward I’ve been able to learn a lot,” Gaylor said.

“Bonnie Toogood and ‘Magic’ (Sophie Alexander) have been such great voices and give me a heap of confidence, especially because they know I haven’t spent a lot of time playing there.”

The pairing of Toogood and Alexander have also been critical in the development of Gough, whose selection at pick No.20 gives Bomber fans a key-position prospect to watch for the future.

Gough’s aerial talent and ability to find the goals was apparent in her appearances at VFLW level this season, and a full pre-season is giving the 18-year-old room to develop her game even further, whether that’s as a key forward target or in a new role.

“Bonnie and ‘Mag’ have basically taken me under their wing in all aspects of the game and have been unbelievable to learn off,” Gough said.

“I feel like they’ve helped me progress and expand my game into different positions by working with them in the forward line, so it’s been an exciting period.

“I’m keen on setting myself in that forward line at the moment, but I’m happy to play wherever suits.”

Part of Gough’s first pre-season entailed the squad’s training camp back in June, which saw the entire group undertake Navy training in a physically and mentally taxing week for younger and experienced players alike.

The experience has been felt for Gough, who’s taken notice of how both herself and teammates have grown as a result.

“It was very different to what I’ve come across before,” Gough said.

“I’ve never really been on an army camp so it was great to experience different challenges to what you normally face in footy and how that can translate into bettering yourselves as a team.

“A lot of different people stepped up in their own ways on the camp and that was probably the best thing to see.”

Adams is another draftee who’s taken the step up with aplomb.

The midfielder’s natural leadership and defensive qualities have shone through in her first months at the club, taking the day-to-day rigours of AFLW standard in her stride.

“I wouldn’t say anything’s surprised me so far, but it’s crazy just how hard the girls work,” Adams said.

“The standards are so high and we’ve all been able to use that to make ourselves better, it’s a great environment to be in and I feel I’ve learnt a lot from that.

“Having the new coaches to learn off has also been awesome. They’re some of the most experienced people in this area and I’ve been keen to feed off that as much as I can.”

Training among a talented midfield group including Maddy Prespakis and Co-Captain Steph Cain, the exposure to players Adams looked up to as a youngster has been a welcome platform for individual improvement.

“I’d definitely say Maddy Prespakis (has been a great teacher for me),” Adams said.

“Even before coming here, I modelled my game off her so to have her giving me advice along the way and improving my craft has been really exciting.”