Essendon’s Bonnie Toogood Out for AFLW Finals Due to Serious Syndesmosis Injury
Essendon forward Bonnie Toogood has been ruled out for the remainder of the AFLW finals due to a serious syndesmosis injury sustained during a match against Carlton. The injury means she will miss at least five weeks, effectively ending her hopes for a comeback this season. Essendon struggles in their finals ambition continue, particularly after the recent loss of ruck Steph Wales to an ACL injury. The team now faces a challenging matchup against Fremantle, with concerns about their performance in the absence of key players.
Essendon forward Bonnie Toogood will miss the entirety of the Bombers' AFLW finals campaign due to a significant syndesmosis injury sustained during a recent match. This unfortunate development follows a challenging season for the 26-year-old player, who had previously contended with injuries earlier in the year.
Toogood's Injury Impact on Essendon
Bonnie Toogood's recent ankle injury, which occurred in the early moments of Essendon's 36-point victory against Carlton, has led to her being sidelined for at least five weeks, effectively ending her chances of participating in any playoff games. The extent of the injury was confirmed through scans revealing a high-grade two syndesmosis injury, which prompted the club to take precautionary measures. Essendon’s head of medical services, Megan Smith, expressed the club's deep disappointment for Toogood while emphasizing the importance of her leadership role within the team even in her absence.
Essendon Faces Challenges in the Finals
The Bombers are now confronting a formidable challenge as they pursue their first AFL or AFLW final victory since 2004, further compounded by star ruck Steph Wales' recent ACL tear. Wales' absence was felt sharply in the match against Carlton, where the Blues dominated the hit-out statistics. With Matilda Dyke stepping up in the ruck position, the team will need to devise strategies to compensate for the loss of both Wales and Toogood as they prepare to face Fremantle in the elimination final on Sunday.
Fremantle’s Rising Star and Team Preparations
Fremantle's ruck Mim Strom is set to present a significant challenge to Essendon with her impressive performance against the Western Bulldogs, where she achieved remarkable statistics including 30 disposals and 40 hitouts. As two teams that are poised for a fierce encounter, both are preparing for a key matchup in the finals. The resurgent Dockers are also hopeful that star defender Ash Brazill will recover in time to play against Essendon, according to coach Lisa Webb, who remains optimistic about her availability for the crucial game.
