Approaching nine months since they last took the field at AFLW level, excitement is reaching peak levels for Brooke Walker and the Bombers.

With an official intraclub game under the belt and practice games against Hawthorn and Geelong to come in the next fortnight, the Dons are keen to start bearing the fruits of their labour from the group’s longest pre-season to date, having formally returned to the track back in June.

Last season’s overall improvement and inaugural finals appearance has set a strong baseline for the side, but Walker knows the group can’t afford to rest on those laurels when game time approaches in 2024.

“There’s definitely a sense of unfinished business for us,” Walker said.

“Now that we’ve had a bit of a longer pre-season than usual, we’re a lot more excited when those days start to pop up in terms of intraclub, practice matches, season launch dates. We’ve been able to really consolidate our structure and how we want to play.

"We’re just keen for games to start so we can put that development and learning into fruition, implementing it when games roll around. Everyone’s up and about right now, which is cool to see.

On an individual note, Walker’s attacked this pre-season under the lens of a new on-field role, looking to bolster the Bombers’ clearance game with her aggressive style of play.

Spending all of last year’s pre-season training in defence, the 29-year-old’s role evolved over the course of her first year in red and black. Initially moving up to the wing before being utilised as an inside midfielder in the final weeks of the season, Walker’s keen to use her versatility to advantage once again this year.

“This year I’ve had an entire pre-season under my belt as a midfielder, hopefully that’s where my role will be looking ahead,” Walker said.

“If that shifts, I’m pretty comfortable doing my bit wherever I’m needed. I’ve done a bit of everything now in terms of playing back and forward, so I’ll look to use those different experiences wherever I can.

“I’ve loved just how available the coaches have been, especially in the second year here. Compared to last year, I’ve been a lot more active before training with extra craft, focusing on that constant development and making good use of that bonus in having the staff and facilities on hand for us.

“Having someone like ‘Grovesy’ (Assistant Coach Paul Groves) come in has been huge as well, he’s brought over a heap of expertise and success as a coach. Being able to tap into him for my growth as a midfielder has been super beneficial.”

Amidst an influx of off-season acquisitions, the wider club have been impressed by the impact of its four youngest recruits in Amy Gaylor, Brooke Sheridan, Emily Gough and Chloe Adams.

The quartet’s early impressions on the training track have reflected the growing standards of the talent pool, particularly from the draft classes of the past couple of seasons.

“Amy, ‘Chlo’, ‘Goughy’, and ‘Boogs’ (Sheridan) have come over and just been absolutely unreal,” Walker said.

“They genuinely run rings around us at times and it highlights how much have gone into the pathways in recent years.

“Through the draft, they enter the system quite accelerated and there aren’t many gaps between first-year players compared to fifth-sixth years at this stage, which is great for the competition.”

While Walker’s taken plenty away from Essendon’s emerging talents, the effects of the club’s experienced players are still being felt strongly around the playing group.

Within a thriving locker room environment bustling with big characters, Steph Cain and Bonnie Toogood continue to drive cultural standards, both on-field and off.

“I’ve learnt so much off ‘Caino’, who’s had a ripping pre-season even for her standards,” Walker said.

“She gets called ‘the horse’ around our group for how she just gallops around the track and when you see that first-hand, you know the kind of lift she can give you as a teammate. She’s always dedicating her time to helping me off-field, watching and reviewing vision.

“‘Caino’ and Bonnie are phenomenal leaders and they just give everyone else the opportunity to be their best selves, whether it’s through the vibes they provide in the change rooms or that calmness in on-field situations.

“That range of characters we have can complement each other really well in different ways and it just keeps emphasising the culture we’re building.”

The Bombers’ first match simulation against external opposition comes in the form of Hawthorn at Caulfield Grammar this Saturday, before they off an official season-opener against Fremantle at Windy Hill on August 31.