Essendon's Keaney plays first game after giving birth

Essendon midfielder Bess Keaney returns to play her first AFLW game after taking time to give birth to her daughter.

Bess Keaney is back. The Essendon midfielder will play her first game of 2026 after giving birth to her daughter.

Keaney was among several players making comebacks in Round 5. Forward Daria Bannister is also making her 2026 debut.

Essendon faces Fremantle at Cockburn ARC Oval. In other changes, Richmond's Ellie McKenzie returns from a broken arm suffered in pre-season.

North Melbourne's Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner will debut for the Roos.

Bess Keaney: Player
Essendon: Team
Fremantle at Cockburn ARC Oval: Opponent
Round 5: Round

Why it mattersKeaney's return shows elite athletes balancing motherhood with professional sport, a shift gaining visibility in Australian football.

AustraliaAFLW continues to evolve with more players managing childcare and careers, reflecting changing attitudes in elite Australian sport.

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