Western Australian Matilda Dyke will fill the vacant role on Essendon’s AFLW list for the 2023 season.
With Cat Phillips being placed on the inactive list after announcing she’s expecting her first child, the Bombers had a spot to fill ahead of pre-season kicking off.
At 181cm, Dyke has the versatility to play through the ruck and across the backline, with her mobility being a key strength.
Hailing from Narrogin in Western Australia, Dyke is a 2022 Western Australian Football League Women’s premiership player with Claremont.
For the first 10 games of the 2023 WAFLW season, Dyke was ranked number two in the league for hit-outs.
The 21-year-old also represented her home state in the 2021 under-18 national championships.
Essendon AFLW list and recruiting head and Victorian Football League Women’s head Georgia Harvey welcomed Dyke to the club.
“We are very excited to have Matilda join us ahead of season eight,” she said. ”Matilda has been performing strongly at WAFLW level in the ruck this season.
“She is mobile, covers the ground well and can also play down back. We look forward to seeing what she can achieve in our program.”
An inaugural AFLW player with Melbourne as an ultimate frisbee-playing rookie, Phillips played all 10 matches for the Bombers last season as a winger, where her speed and endurance held her in good stead.
She was one of the keys as the Bombers won four games in their inaugural season, the best of the four new teams.
Essendon head of AFLW Aysha Ward said that Phillips’ was an integral part of the club’s inaugural season.
“We wish her all the best with her pregnancy, and we look forward to the leadership she will continue to provide our playing group off the field in season eight.”
Essendon’s AFLW team will commence pre-season training on May 29.
