Arguably the top story in the league this week heading into week one of the knockouts, though, is far from ideal from an Essendon and district perspective.
Mansfield native Bonnie Toogood suffered an injury to her ankle in the early minutes of the Bombers’ big 36-point win over an already eliminated Carlton on Saturday night.
The co-captain failed to return to the field on the night, initially expressing a tone of optimism when asked about her status for finals in the 24 hours following the injury.
However, Monday morning brought the news nobody wanted as Toogood was diagnosed with a syndesmosis injury, bringing a frustrating individual 2024 to a close.
It was already challenging for the third-year skipper in the red and black, who suffered a knee injury in the opening round following a scary friendly fire incident.
Having missed four weeks of action, down from the initial prognosis of six, Toogood returned to play a role down the stretch, but now has to lead from the sidelines.
In a statement, Essendon head of medical services Megan Smith expressed the club’s sympathies.
“We are shattered for Bonnie after she suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against the Blues,” Smith said.
“After an initial assessment, we decided it was best not to have Bonnie return to the field in order to give her the best chance to play should we make the finals. However, scans yesterday confirmed she had suffered a high grade two syndesmosis injury in her ankle.
“We will seek further advice from a surgeon. However, the recovery time for this type of injury is usually around five weeks, which means Bonnie will miss the remainder of our finals series.
"It's been a challenging year for Bonnie after suffering an MCL injury earlier in the season. However, we know how determined and dedicated Bonnie is and that she'll get stuck into her rehab to ensure she returns even stronger in 2025.“
There’s better news, though, with the likes of Shepparton export Angela Foley suiting up for another crack at finals.
Familiar with winning environments having been picked as an inaugural Adelaide draftee, the current Port Adelaide defender has averaged more than four rebound 50s a game as an ever-present figure heading into the Power’s Sunday elimination final with Richmond.
There, she will lock horns with a former Bear in Grace Egan, playing every game this year in the yellow and black after again cementing herself as one of the region’s top current exports — and, of course, sister Holly may soon follow.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Seymour’s Sophie Locke will be aiming to feature for the McLelland Trophy-winning Hawthorn, having played three senior games in the second half of the season, when it takes on Brisbane in a qualifying final.
There was disappointment for Euroa product Georgia Gall, whose Demons fell half a game short of the top eight despite a victory in the final round after Essendon’s win over Carlton shut the door.
