Tara Murray
Steph Cain and Bonnie Toogood have been named Essendon co-captains for a third consecutive AFLW season.
It was announced to the playing group on Tuesday morning that the pair would continue their leadership duties into the 2024 season, having shared the mantle since the club’s inaugural season.
The Bombers have also unveiled a new-look leadership group. Experienced recruits Bess Keaney and Maddi Gay were announced as leaders in their first year with the club and Sophie Alexander joins the leadership group for the first time.
Cain’s grateful for the opportunity to go again in the role.
“It’s a massive privilege to be voted in again alongside Bonnie to captain this football club and lead our team. As a program, we have done an immense amount of work this offseason to elevate our list and our profile moving forward,” she said.
“To have the likes of Bess and Maddi Gay join our leadership group is testament to that and the characters and people that they are. Soph Alexander has just put an immense amount of work to better herself and has really elevated herself to help drive where we want our program to be.
“Our group has so much growth and its super exciting to be able to tap into that and help lead the way forward alongside Bonnie, Mads, Bess and Sophie.”
The 28-year-old averaged a career-high 13.8 disposals per game for the Bombers last season, playing a key role in propelling the side to an inaugural finals appearance despite an ill-timed injury at the back end of the campaign.
Toogood returns to the role after a career-best season in 2023.
The 26-year-old was named the All-Australian vice-captain and claimed a maiden club best and fairest, among other accolades, establishing herself as one of the finest forwards in the game.
“Firstly, being named co-captain alongside Steph Cain is such a privilege,” she said. “She is a wonderful leader and I love doing it with her. It has been discussed how our leadership styles and personalities complement one another. Honestly, there’s no one else I’d want to co-captain alongside. She is a phenomenal human being and this team is very lucky to have her.
“It isn’t lost on us the responsibility and making sure we represent this playing group. To our teammates, they are absolutely incredible people, and they make our job very easy.”
Toogood also celebrated Gay, Keaney and Alexander’s elevation to the leadership group.
“Huge congratulations to Maddi Gay, Bess Keaney and Sophie Alexander. I could not be happier for the three of them. To Bess and Mads, it’s a huge testament to come into a new program and impact this group so quickly,” Toogood said.
“Bess has extreme care and is one of the most curious people I’ve ever met. Maddi brings a wealth of knowledge and has been able to impact our young players early.
“When it comes to Soph Alexander, this elevation is a huge testament to the hard work she’s put in not only over the past two seasons but especially this off-season. She’s been incredible in driving and holding the standards we want in this program, and we have recognised that as teammates. She should be very proud of where she has gotten to and the leadership she is displaying.
Coach Natalie Wood highlighted the impact Maddy Prespakis, Georgia Nanscawen and Jacqui Vogt had throughout their time in the leadership group.
“Their leadership has been pivotal in building the foundation of our culture,” she said.
“Their symbolic leadership of driving standards and leading by example has been important to our program. I am very grateful for the role each of them has played; they are important to the fabric of our club, and I know wholeheartedly that they’ll continue to lead in their way and be important role models in everything they do.”
