Dockers coach Lisa Webb is hopeful star defender Ash Brazill (ankle) will be able to face Essendon.
“We’ve got to get through the next six days, but I’m confident,” Webb said.
"I just tell her she has to put her feet up and not chase her kids around.”
Go nuts, kids! 
Can I watch this game overseas? Is there a service or hack I can do?
| PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
|---|---|---|
| Kiara Bowers | Pregnancy | Inactive |
| Ash Brazill | Ankle | Test |
| Ange Stannett | ACL | Season |
| Aine Tighe | Knee | Season |
| Updated: November 5, 2024 |
Terrible injury list for playing finals. We could do with all of those girls this weekend.
…
With five wins and just one defeat from their past seven games, the Bombers have found ways to adapt their game as the season’s worn on, with Saturday’s final an opportunity to see their evolution from the opening rounds.
Saturday holds the first ever AFLW meeting between the two clubs away from Victoria, with the Dons hosting the previous two clashes at Windy Hill in the last couple of seasons.
The round four clash in 2023 saw the Bombers prevail by 20 points in a high-quality game, propelled by the efforts of Bonnie Toogood (22 disposals, two goals) and Jacqui Vogt (12 touches, two goals).
Fremantle would return serve at the venue in round one this season, capitalising well on their chances to record a 43-point away win. With Toogood and youngster Amber Clarke each ruled out early in the game to injury, the Dockers ran out the game more strongly.
Throughout the year, Essendon have found themselves having to cover for key players and the weekend will be no exception, with Co-Captain Toogood and ruck Steph Wales each ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Former Docker Steph Cain will take on sole Captaincy duties against her old side, with her leadership set to play a big role in the Bombers’ return to the finals. Maddi Gay’s strong form has been a major highlight from the season to date and her influx of finals experience will be another factor in steadying the Dons’ back six.
In the absence of Wales, the potential pairing of Matilda Dyke and Sophie Alexander could once again hold the fort at centre bounces, allowing for versatility around the ground.
Essendon’s gradual growth has been a positive takeaway from the year to date, with the side beginning to thrive after the halfway mark.
A successful midweek footy period saw the side’s conditioning and endurance stand out, winning four games between weeks five-to-seven and largely getting through unscathed.
The Dons’ only loss since that point has come in the form of the competition’s sole undefeated club in North Melbourne – an exciting final fortnight saw the Bombers secure their position in the top eight with a draw against Richmond and a gutsy six-goal win over the Blues at IKON Park.
Fremantle will also enter the fixture in good touch following three consecutive wins, the most recent being a 14-point home victory over the Dogs.
There is a Captain’s Run from Friday 4pm at Freo Oval.
In: Gough
Out: Toogood
Seems just a like-for-like replacement, or as close as you can get I suppose.
Gough named in defence 
Gamble had been getting named in defence in the initial lineup and then playing forward for a few weeks, I wouldn’t read a lot into it. I expect Gough plays forward
We’ve got a good form here:
A long-sleeved #5 league-B&F Essendon premiership captain was the top-rated player in that game.
Luckily, this time we have a back-to-back league-B&F.
Let’s hope our side give the umps a heads up about Brazill pushing her opponents in the back…constantly.
Is it a 2 or 3 hour delay
Where’s the TEAM!
7pm Melbourne time.
