Bonnie Toogood’s chomping at the bit for Essendon’s AFLW season opener at Windy Hill on Saturday.
Entering her third season in club colours, the Co-Captain and lifelong Don is excited by the prospects that lie ahead for her side as they continue an ascent through their early years in the AFLW competition.
Following a lengthy pre-season, it’s becoming more and more difficult for the Bombers to contain their excitement before running out in front of their passionate fans at the club’s spiritual home this weekend.
“I’ll be honest, I’m just trying to keep a lid on it and not expend my energy too early,” Toogood told SEN’s Whateley on Thursday.
“On Saturday at Windy Hill, running out in front of a packed Reynolds Stand, there’s so much energy the fans provide for us and it’s just amazing we can bring that nostalgia back to the Essendon faithful.
“That’s probably the biggest thing from last year, making Windy Hill our fortress.
Fresh off the best season of her career to date including a Best and Fairest and All Australian selection (as Vice-Captain), Bombers fans will be hoping Toogood can continue to be a focal point of the attack this season.
Working well within an evolving Dons’ gameplan and her younger teammates, Toogood keeps finding methods for improvement as she progresses her game to new heights.
“(I’ve) been working on my strengths but also adding more tools to my belt and making sure I can keep staying ahead of what defenders and teams might throw at myself,” Toogood said.
“I’ve really been leaning on the coaching staff and the teammates around me. Particularly as a forward, I rely on a lot of people up the ground to bring the ball down.
“I’ve been working on different ways to create separation and make sure I’m still presenting as a really strong option for my teammates.”
Another part of Toogood’s learnings this pre-season have come in the form of her second job at the club, working heavily within the Bombers’ womens’ pathway programs.
Working closely with emerging junior players and helping pave the way for their development, Toogood’s eager to see how these programs will fare in the growth of the womens’ game more broadly.
“People ask me how my day’s going and I’m like ‘I’m living the dream’,” Toogood said.
“I work a lot with 14 and 15-year-olds and even at that age, you can see they’re genuine footballers now.
“They’re not just athletes crossing between different codes and that’s what’s so exciting. We can get into the nitty gritty of scenario-based learning and that’s super exciting for the game and competition that we continue empowering young girls with their football IQ.”
“When they make their way through the pathway and come to AFLW level, they’re ready to go and shake things up.”
The Bombers kick off their 2024 season when they take on Fremantle at Windy Hill this Saturday. Secure your tickets here.
