AFLW 2024: Elle Bennetts will make ACL comeback at the MCG

It’s been more than 25 years since Elle Bennetts played footy at the MCG.

The Western Bulldogs winger says “cameras didn’t exist” when she played a halftime Auskick game on the hallowed turf some time in 1998, but today she will play in front of tens of thousands in a fairytale return from an ACL injury.

The Bulldogs-Power clash will precede the men’s elimination final after the AFL agreed to shift the women’s game from Whitten Oval at the Western Bulldogs’ request.

Bennetts, who today also celebrates her 35th birthday, will complete a 12-month comeback from a devastating knee injury suffered in round 1 last year.

“The last time I played on the MCG was when I was in Auskick – that was basically the last time I played footy before I played AFLW, and I was about eight or nine,” Bennetts said.

“It’s pretty cool, being on the other side of the fence for the most part of the last 20-odd years.

“There haven’t been many opportunities for AFLW teams to play out on the ‘G, so it’s going to be very surreal, I think.”

Bennetts, who had not played competitive football until she switched from a netball career which included a stint with the NSW Swifts, said coming back from her first ACL injury had tested her resolve.

“I feel like I haven’t missed a heap of footy in a way, but early days it was quite challenging,” she said.

“Last season itself had a lot of challenges for us, and there was so much staff changeover and movement at the end of the season, so it was challenging getting eyes on me during that time.

“But I feel stronger, fitter and faster, and that was the goal I set myself.”

The Bulldogs underwent a major overhaul of their women’s football program while Bennetts was on the comeback trail, and she said new coach Tamara Hyett and general manager Patrice Berthold had brought important change to the club.

“I absolutely love Burkey (former coach Nathan Burke) and what he did for our group,” Bennetts said.

“I think change is super important, and Tam brings a new level of challenging the group but allowing people to be themselves and play to their strengths.

“It has been nice as well to have a female coach and female role model – I think that’s been great for this group.”

Bennetts expected to split her time this season between defence and a wing in her fourth season at Whitten Oval after spending her first four years at GWS.

She said a 63-point loss to her former Giants in Canberra last week had been disappointing, but not deflating, to the rebuilding side.

“I didn’t travel to Canberra last week, and I’m sure it was quite challenging – there was probably a little disappointment,” Bennetts said.

“It’s just about consistency within our group, and being able to replicate (a competitive second quarter) in training and across full matches.

“We’ve put that loss behind us, the energy is good this week.”

While the Bulldogs regained Bennetts, Collingwood was forced to elevate two players from its VFLW replacement list after two injuries reduced the Magpies’ available playing stocks below the minimum 24.

Annie Lee, 21, suffered an “acute cartilage injury” to her knee in her Magpies debut against Sydney last Friday and will miss the rest of the season, while Imogen Evans tore her hamstring at training on Tuesday and will be sidelined for four to six weeks.

The Magpies have called up Sarah Ingram and Jordan Ivey, who could play for her fourth AFLW club after 39 games for Carlton, Geelong and Melbourne.