Bonnie Toogood, a key player for Essendon, faces a significant setback as she will miss most of the AFLW season due to a knee injury. During the team's first match against Fremantle, a collision with her teammate Amber Clarke resulted in Toogood injuring her medial collateral ligament (MCL). The collision happened when Toogood was attempting to catch the ball inside the attacking zone, and Clarke inadvertently ran into her path, leading to a head clash.

The impact was severe enough that play was halted as medical personnel attended to Clarke, who was later taken off the field on a stretcher after hitting her head on the ground. Meanwhile, Toogood showed visible distress while receiving treatment on the sidelines, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. At that moment, Essendon had an eight-point lead, bolstered by a goal from Daria Bannister, recently returned from an ACL injury.

Essendon's medical head, Megan Smith, expressed concern over the unfortunate incident, emphasizing the commitment shown by both players. Smith confirmed that, although Toogood will miss a significant portion of the season, there is relief in knowing that her ACL remains unharmed. Toogood will begin her rehabilitation process with hopes of returning later in the current season.

As for Amber Clarke, her return to the game remains uncertain. While Essendon is not setting a specific timeline for her recovery, there is a possibility that she could be available for the Bombers' next match in round three if she successfully passes concussion protocols. The injuries to both players are a significant concern for Essendon as they look to build on their previous season's success that saw them reach the finals for the first time.