Lift-off for new-look Bombers in win over Giants
Unveiling five new faces at Manuka Oval on Saturday, the Bombers slammed through seven straight goals to set up a 13.7 (85) to 3.11 (29) victory - their highest ever score in the AFLW.
A two-goal haul by Bombers co-captain Bonnie Toogood was matched by draftee Holly Ridewood and ex-Port forward Maggie MacLachlan.
Last year's No.9 pick Grace Belloni and former GWS player Courtney Murphy kicked a goal apiece, while fellow draftee Taya Chambers made her debut in defence.
Maddy Prespakis (one goal, 26 disposals, seven clearances) was also busy for Essendon in the engine room, taking advantage of GWS stalwart Alyce Parker's absence.
Parker was leading the Giants with 15 disposals and five clearances before an ankle injury forced her out at halftime.
Tarni Evans was on-song early for the home side and could have finished with more than the opening goal after taking three inside-50 marks in the first quarter.
But the Giants lost the lead through their wastefulness, trailing by two points at quarter-time.
GWS young gun Zarlie Goldsworthy had uncharacteristically sprayed her set shot from the top of the goal square, before Courtney Murphy returned serve to launch Essendon ahead.
The Bombers then broke out to a lead of 26 points when Ridewood, pick No.12 in last year's draft, kicked two straight goals.
Evans again flaunted her aerial prowess just before the main break, but could not shake the yips, netting just two points from two set shots.
Irish sensation Eilish O'Dowd almost gave away a goal to the Bombers after sprinting towards the wrong end of the corridor.
O'Dowd had only just landed back in Australia last Friday after winning the 2025 All-Ireland title with Dublin.
After Toogood opened the third quarter with her second major, Giants forward Georgia Garnett responded to end the home side's goalscoring drought.
Evans finally got reward for effort and slotted her second goal before the final change, but GWS could not lift for a fourth-quarter comeback.
In the end, Tarni finished with 2.3, while Giants skipper Bec Beeson had 19 disposals and seven clearances.
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