Tara Murray
History has been made with Georgia Nanscawen becoming Essendon’s first AFLW player.
The Bombers announced on Friday, that Nanscawen had agreed to sign with the club during the upcoming expansion signing period.
Nanscawen joined the club’s Victorian Football League side from North Melbourne in 2019, making an instant impact to claim the Bombers’ best and fairest in her debut year.
The 29-year-old was named VFLW captain for the 2021 season, finishing the year with the league’s highest individual honour – the Lambert-Pearce Medal – and named captain of the 2021 rebel VFLW team of the year.
She is the Bombers co-captain this year.
Nanscawen has grown up in elite sporting environments, making her debut for Australia in hockey at the age of 17, playing at the Olympics.
Essendon general manager of football Josh Mahoney said Nanscawen’s leadership and drive were key factors in the club’s decision to commit to the midfielder.
“Georgia epitomises everything an Essendon footballer represents,” he said.
“Over the past three years, she has shown her dedication and commitment to the club while continuing to improve her football and drive standards within our VFLW program.
“As captain of our VFLW side for the past two years, Georgia has led by example with her on-field performances and has contributed strongly to our football program’s inclusive and supportive culture.”
Nanscawen said she has found her place at Essendon and is proud and humbled to sign with the club’s inaugural AFLW side.
“The coaching staff and playing group have put a lot of faith in me and helped me immensely in developing as a footballer and leader,” she said.
“Since joining the club, I have been forward in saying Essendon is where I want to be. This club has such a proud history, and to have the opportunity to play AFLW for the Bombers in our inaugural side is pretty amazing.
“I cannot speak more highly of the women’s program at the Bombers and I can’t wait to see what we achieve in the future.”
