Tested and challenged, but better for the experience.

Essendon Co-Captain Steph Cain looks back at 2024 as an important stepping stone for her side, who rebounded from a less-than-ideal 1-3 start to the campaign to eventually secure a spot in the finals, where they bowed out in defeat to Fremantle.

Although it’s the second year in-a-row where the Dons have found themselves one-and-done in the finals series, Cain leaves the year feeling confident in the playing group’s position, already looking ahead to 2025 positively.

“Coming in for that Monday night review, it was pretty apparent that the group wanted to take ownership for our performance and galvanise to find a way forward together,” Cain said.

“There were moments throughout the year where we just felt a little too far off from where we needed to be and clearly wanted to be, but what didn’t waver was our commitment to keep getting better as a group and take on the ability to own those big moments.

“Reflecting back on those conversations, I know the group’s already in a great space to attack 2025.”

Cain was forced to shoulder plenty of the load as an on-field leader this season, with fellow Co-Captain Bonnie Toogood missing a chunk of the season to injury, including an untimely ankle concern which ruled her out of the Elimination Final.

Without her running mate, Cain impressed as sole skipper, floating between the wing and inside midfield once again to average 14 disposals and six tackles per game across the year.

Even then, Cain is hoping to elevate next year, still not content with her current output.

“It’s a funny one. I actually reflect individually and I’m probably not overly stoked with my own performance throughout the season,” Cain said.

“I guess with the condensed fixture this year and having my 2023 season cut short by injury, the ability to play every single game (in 2024) and contribute in different areas is something I’m pretty happy with.

“Bonnie’s such a great character and one of her massive strengths is providing that role on gameday, so when you lose a key figure like her it does put that bit of burden back on me not to fill the shoes but lead the team in a different way.

“I’ve learnt a lot about myself and getting out of my comfort zone which was positive. I felt like I could rise to the occasion and to the group’s credit, there were so many different players stepping up in their own style.

“Bonnie obviously had to do it at this time last year without me, so I think it just shows our collective strength to continue to adapt and stand up when required.”

That ability to stand up was continually tested in the back half of the season, when the Dons had to compensate for the loss of Toogood, star ruck Steph Wales and even midfielder Maddy Prespakis in their final outing.

Whether the assistance came in the form of experience or youth, Cain was impressed by the Dons’ grit and intent as the season wore on.

“There are some things at this level that can only come through learned experience,” Cain said.

“Through adversity and the challenges you face as a group, you have to learn to be resilient and it does prove that we kept showing what we could do. When one person goes down, you don’t necessarily try to fill their shoes – you just find different ways to adapt as a group and make sure all 30 players can contribute uniquely.

“It’s also massive having young players come in and look at home.

“Amy Gaylor’s going to be a dominant player in this competition in a couple of years’ time. Her ability to show up to the contest on gameday and keep putting in work throughout the week is fantastic and she’s a testament to herself.

“Emily Gough and Chloe Adams as first-year draftees have also been big in leading the way for us as well. I even look at players like Georgia Clarke who just continue to prove why she deserves her place.”

With the Bombers among a group of sides looking to close the gap with the competition’s elite, the experience of coming up against good sides both during the regular season and in the finals isn’t lost on Cain either.

“We relish the opportunities to play those elite sides,” Cain said.

“Going up against benchmark teams gives us a way to explore different areas of our game and find new ways to improve but it also shows us the standards we need to set across the board.”