ESSENDON has completed its inaugural AFL Women’s list by signing two injury replacement players. The Bombers, who lost VFL Women’s premiership captain Georgia Nanscawen and fellow state league addition Eloise Ashley-Cooper to injury ahead of Season 7, were officially replaced yesterday. Essendon announced it had signed another VFL Women’s Bomber in Alex Morcom, as well as Gippsland Power youngster Lily-Rose Williamson.

Morcom is a defender who played in the VFL Women’s side and achieved podium finishes in both the 2021 and 2022 best and fairests. In her 33 games over the past two VFL Women’s season, Morcom averaged 10.4 disposals, 1.5 marks and 2.1 tackles. In the 2022 Grand Final, the defender laid a massive seven tackles to go with her 14 disposals.

“Alex has been a dependable and hard-working defender in our VFLW program since its inauguration,” Essendon AFL contract manager Georgia Harvey told the club website. “We are very proud of her commitment to the club and this is a fantastic opportunity and one she has thoroughly earned.”

Williamson has been long on the radar of AFL Women’s clubs, having graduated through Gippsland Power’s V/Line Cup side and moving through the pathways. In 2021, the utility represented Vic Country at Under 17s level, playing a new role in defence having also played as a forward, but primarily is a powerful burst midfielder.

“Lily-Rose is a highly talented junior who can rotate between multiple positions, including the midfield,” Harvey said. “Her strength, agility and ability to win contests really stood out and we look forward to continuing her development under our AFLW program.”

Named in Rookie Me Central’s 22 in 2022 to Watch, Williamson did not play a NAB League Girls game in 2022, but her talent is undeniable. A player who loves a fend-off and to take the game on, she has a booming and accurate kick, with explosive burst and evasion from the stoppages.

LILY-ROSE WILLIAMSON BIO:

Medium Defender/Midfielder
25/08/2004 | 166cm
Gippsland Power / Vic Country

A member of the Gippsland Power program for many years now coming through the V/Line Cup, Williamson is a high-potential project player who took her game to another level in 2021. Showing glimpses of her capabilities that come with unbelievable acceleration and power, Williamson would set the world record for most fend-offs in a season and probably only need a couple of games to do so. She can use the ball well when winning it, but it is her defensive pressure and metres gained that stands out, and once it all clicks consistently, watch out.

Essendon will host fellow expansion side Port Adelaide at The Hangar on Saturday, ahead of Season 7 which for the Bombers, will kick off against Hawthorn at ETU Stadium from 7:10pm on August 27.