Essendon axes trio after two-win AFLW campaign
Brooke Brown, Maggie MacLachlan and Sophie Strong are delisted after Essendon's 2-10 season.
Essendon has delisted three players after finishing 2026 with a 2-10 record. Brooke Brown, a defender who joined as the club's first priority signing period recruit in 2022, departs after four seasons.
Injury disrupted her final two years, and she did not play a game in 2026. Maggie MacLachlan, who arrived from Subiaco in 2025 and played 11 games her first year, struggled for opportunities this season and finished with 26 AFLW games overall.
Sophie Strong, drafted in 2024, played eight games for the Bombers. General manager Aysha Ward thanked the trio for their commitment and professionalism.
- 2-10
- Season record
- 43 AFLW appearances
- Brown's career games
- 26 AFLW games
- MacLachlan's career games
- 8 games
- Strong's career games
Why it mattersList changes signal how clubs rebuild after a losing season, and delisting veteran players suggests major restructuring ahead for 2027.
AustraliaEssendon fans face a rebuilding year with key players departing. The 2-10 record is the club's worst AFLW campaign.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
