AFLW Bombers want to make their own finals history

Essendon are intent on securing the club's first-ever AFLW finals victory on Saturday. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Essendon's AFLW players know all about the finals hoodoo that has been hanging over the club for 20 years.

But if they're being honest, they are more focused on creating their own piece of history.

The Bombers' AFL team's failure to win a final since 2004 has been well-documented.

Their AFLW counterparts, now in their third season, have played just one final, losing an elimination final to Geelong last year, and take on Fremantle in an elimination final at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

"We're really excited. We're trying to focus on the W program - just win our first final," defender Maddi Gay told AAP. 

"Yes, it'd be really great for the whole club as well. 

"But yeah, we're just focusing on (us). We made finals last year and then making finals again this year, which is a really hard thing to do. 

"But yeah, just trying to take that next step and winning one now. And I think we've got a really good process in doing that."

Gay
Maddi Gay has rare premiership-winning experience to share from her days with Melbourne.

Fellow defender Alex Morcom has been with the Bombers from the start, including experiencing that loss to Geelong.

"We're not letting that weigh too much on us," Morcom told AAP.

"We've got a job at hand, and we're focused on just going about it, bringing everything that we've brought this season, and putting it all together for this final."

She was adamant Essendon had learned from their first time on a big stage.

"They (Geelong) came out very hot, and I think that caught us off guard," Morcom said.

"So going into our final this week, you know, we want to have a really strong start, I think that's what the group will be focusing on. 

"But I know that we've grown a lot as a team as well. 

"We've got some just different personnel that have joined the Bombers this season, and it's been great to have them on board and as a team, our game plan has changed a lot since then as well."

Bombers
Alex Morcom (r) says the Bombers learnt from last year's early finals exit.

Gay is a rare premiership player at Essendon after her triumph with Melbourne and has proved invaluable to her less experienced teammates.

"I keep saying 'enjoy it' because it's so hard to make finals. It's so hard to make it, so you've just got to enjoy it," she said.

The Bombers will be without Bonnie Toogood (ankle) and ruck Steph Wales (ACL).

Gay was confident Essendon's forwards knew how to play without powerhouse skipper Toogood, after she was injured earlier in the season.

"They all work for each other," she said. 

"Someone might have a good five minutes, and then someone else steps up. 

"So I think that's going to have to happen this weekend."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store