Essendon overturned a 25-point deficit to beat Greater Western Sydney 6.7 (43) to 5.5 (35) at Henson Park on October 3, 2026, earning its first win of the AFLW season. The Bombers’ comeback gathered pace after half-time, with Madison Prespakis driving the charge before Daria Bannister put Essendon ahead and Emily Gough added a decisive goal.
How Essendon turned the game around
GWS held a 25-point advantage at the start of the third quarter. Essendon responded with five unanswered goals after half-time, while the Giants managed only one point in the second half, according to the AAP match report.
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The Bombers were still four points behind at the final change. Bannister then put Essendon in front, and Gough’s checkside goal from a forward-50 stoppage helped seal the eight-point win.
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Madison Prespakis finished with 35 disposals and five clearances. Her third quarter was especially influential: she had 13 disposals, six contested possessions and three clearances, and kicked a goal, the AAP report said.
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Other notable Essendon figures in that match report included ruck Steph Wales, with 20 disposals, 14 hitouts and eight clearances; Maddi Gay, with 21 disposals; and Georgia Gee, with 15. Gough kicked two goals, while Bonnie Toogood recorded eight marks and a goal. Defenders Alex Morcom and Amy Gaylor each had nine intercepts.
Key figures from the match
| Player or result | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Essendon | 6.7 (43) |
| Greater Western Sydney | 5.5 (35) |
| Margin | Essendon by eight points |
| Madison Prespakis | 35 disposals, five clearances |
| Alyce Parker (GWS) | 25 disposals, eight tackles, two goals |
| Tilly Lucas-Rodd (GWS) | 26 disposals |
| Cambridge McCormick (GWS) | 22 disposals |
These are figures from this match, not season averages. The AAP report did not provide a complete quarter-by-quarter score table.
Toogood praised the group’s resilience
Essendon skipper Bonnie Toogood told Fox Sports after the game: “Genuinely just so proud of the resilience of the group.” She also said: “And it’s been a challenging season, I suppose, and the persistence through adversity, particularly today.” Fox Sports interview
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Previous meeting
A GWS pre-match preview said the clubs had met once previously in AFLW before this game, with Essendon winning their 2025 Round 1 meeting by 56 points. That is the preview’s pre-match account, not a complete head-to-head record. GWS preview
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