Tara Murray
Essendon’s first official AFLW practice match ended in a win on the back of a strong second half against Port Adelaide.
Having tested themselves against Melbourne in match simulation last week, the Bombers ticked off the next phase in their preparations for round one on Saturday.
Playing in front of their home crowd at the Hangar in Tullamarine, the Bombers slowly worked themselves into the game against the Power.
The Bombers would kick six goals in the second half, to win 8.8 (56)-5.6 (36).
The Power led at quarter time and extended that to two goals at the main break with Erin Phillips and Gemma Houghton prominent up forward.
After the break the Bombers quickly got going. Bonnie Toogood was everywhere up forward, while the young duo of Amber Clarke and Paige Scott showed why they were taken high in the recent AFLW draft.
Toogood finished with three goals, while Fedrica Frew kicked two goals two minutes late in the piece, showing why she won the Victorian Football League Women’s goal kicking award.
Jacqui Vogt stood strong leading the back line, while the likes of Maddy Prespakis, Cat Phillips, Steph Cain and Georgia Gee all showed why they were recruited to the club.
The Bombers focus now turns to round one of the AFLW season, when they face Hawthorn on August 27.
On Sunday night the league announced the game had been moved to Marvel Stadium after selling out within 24 hours.
Bombers chief executive Xavier Campbell said last week the club had requested the game to be moved to Marvel Stadium.
“This morning we saw unprecedented demand for our first AFLW game,” he said on Wednesday.
“Playing our arch rival Hawthorn in such a defining fixture for both clubs will be a great spectacle, that is deserving of being played at a venue such as Marvel.
“As such, we are calling on the AFL to move our game to Marvel in order to appropriately celebrate our inaugural home game.”
AFL executive general manager of clubs, finance and broadcasting Travis Auld said the clubs and their fans made the move possible with their enthusiasm for their clubs’ inaugural match.
“Quite simply the fans of both clubs, and supporters of women’s footy in general showed why we needed to move to a bigger venue by selling out the game so quickly,” he said.
“Two proud clubs, a historic occasion for them and another historic moment for the NAB AFLW competition.”
