Fremantle overcome slow start to down Essendon as Bombers pair grounded in sickening collision

Cross-town recruit Aisling McCarthy has starred in Fremanlte’s opening win of the 2024 AFLW season after a sickening collision unravelled Essendon’s early charge.

The Bombers confirmed Amber Clarke was concussed but cleared of a neck injury, while Bonnie Toogood had a “knock” to her knee after the incident in Saturday’s 10.4 (64) to 3.3 (21) defeat in front of 2820 fans at Windy Hill.

Key forward Toogood was steaming forward to take a mark inside 50 when she collected teammate Clarke, who had run into her path seemingly completely unawares, in the second quarter.

The pair clashed heads, then Clarke’s head bounced on the ground when she landed.

Play was stopped as medics cared for Clarke, before taking her from the field on a stretcher.

Star goalkicker Toogood was visibly distraught on the sidelines and had treatment on her knee.

The Bombers called an end to Toogood’s day but she was cleared of concussion and returned to sit on the bench with ice on her right knee.

Essendon led by eight points at the time - after Daria Bannister kicked the opening goal on return from an ACL tear - but appeared rattled by the incident.

Electric Fremantle took full advantage, reeling off four unanswered goals to take control with Aisling McCarthy and Aine Tighe nabbing two goals apiece.

Bannister kicked her second goal, from a deliberate rushed behind free kick, to cut Fremantle’s lead to 12 at halftime.

Lisa Webb’s Dockers led by the same margin at three-quarter time and nabbed five unanswered goals in the final term to deliver a superb thrashing on the road.

The defeat is an early blow to Natalie Wood’s Essendon’s bid to improve on last season’s maiden finals appearance.

Fremantle’s Irish recruit McCarthy, who crossed from West Coast over the off-season, was dominant, racking up 23 disposals and kicking two goals, while Tighe finished with four majors.

Hayley Miller (17 disposals), who was demoted from skipper to vice-captain in favour of the injured Ange Stannett in pre-season, was also busy while defensive recruit Ash Brazill was influential.

Essendon midfielder Georgia Nanscawen (25 disposals, 11 clearances) was prolific, along with recruit Maddison Gay and on-baller Madison Prespakis (25 touches, seven clearances).