Essendon also fielded reserve teams for the AFL and AFLW in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and the VFLW.
[10][11] The bombers then lost their next four games including a five-goal comeback against Collingwood on Anzac day.
[11][13] The bombers looked like they would make their first finals series since 2021, sitting fifth after their round 17 win against Adelaide.
Essendon lost by margins of 77, 126 and 70 against teams that earlier in the year they either beat or didn't lose to by much.
[15] Essendon defeated Gold Coast by five points in an unofficial match simulation at Austworld Centre Oval.
[22] The bombers also played an official AFL practice match against St Kilda, and were defeated by 35 points.
The bombers responded to losing nine games in a row by knocking off first place, Gold Coast, giving the suns their second loss of the season.
Steph Cain & Bonnie Toogood also continues to captain the bombers AFLW side in season 8.
[43] Updated to the end of the Season 8 (2023) Former Collingwood player Travis Cloke was appointed senior coach of Essendon's VFLW side in November 2022.
Kendra Heil, Mia-Rae Clifford and Eloise Ashley Cooper were all also part of Essendon's leadership group in 2023.
[57] Retired Collingwood and Western Bulldogs player Travis Cloke was appointed senior coach of the bombers VFLW team.