Essendon's first AFLW recruit Georgia Nanscawen will be forced to miss the club's inaugural season after rupturing her ACL during the VFLW grand final.
The Essendon co-captain managed 22 disposals and 10 tackles in the historic win before landing uncomfortably in the backline. Nanscawen had to be helped from the ground after the injury and had her evening curtailed.
The Bombers went on to win the final by 35 points, keeping the Southern Saints goalless for the game.
Essendon head coach Natalie Wood voiced her sadness over the injury, commenting on how it lowered the mood despite the club's victory.
"It's terribly unfortunate for Georgia and made yesterday quite bittersweet.
"It's always a risk when we put our players out there to play through the finals," Wood said.
"But it was something that we considered, you know, them playing in big games and having that opportunity to play in high pressure situations and continue to hone their craft."
Essendon will take on Hawthorn in their first-ever AFLW match on Saturday the 27th of August.
