Essendon defender Maddison Ford has been named in the VFLW Team of the Year for 2024.

Winning the club’s Most Valuable Young Player award this season, the 20-year-old has already become an integral piece to the Bombers’ VFLW program in the space of two seasons, developing into one of the best tall defenders in the game.

Averaging 13 disposals and six intercepts per game across 14 appearances this season, Ford elevated her game once again in 2024 as the Bombers ticked off another finals appearance despite a slew of off-season changes.

Named on the interchange in the final side, Ford had initially been joined by skipper El Chaston in the provisional squad for the Team of the Year and will serve as the lone Bomber in this year’s team.