An AFLW debut to remember for Narrogin star Matilda Dyke as Essendon claim 20-point victory over Fremantle

The town of Narrogin celebrated on Saturday as homegrown star Matilda Dyke made her AFLW debut for Essendon in their 20-point win against Fremantle at Windy Hill. The 21-year-old ruck-defender, who was a late signing with the Bombers in May, gathered seven touches to go with two marks, two tackles and 187m gained. The Bombers trailed at half-time but kicked five goals to two after the main break to run out 7.8 (50) to 4.6 (30) winners, surging into the top eight as a result. Dyke said playing against a WA side in a home fixture added extra significance to an already special outing. “It was so exciting to not only get a home game but for it to be against a WA team,” she said. “It was a pretty fiery match but it was so awesome to run out there in front of an Essendon crowd. “Definitely different to the WAFL but I loved it, I love the speed of the game and after five minutes I realised it’s quicker and you just need to adjust. Bombers star Maddy Prespakis presented Dyke with her No.16 jumper before the round four fixture and she was in the middle of the team song after the Bombers’ impressive win. Dyke, previously overlooked in two national drafts, is adamant the best is yet to come for a talent-filled Bombers side. “It’s a really anticipatory feeling,” Dyke said. “We’re really excited for what we can do and what we’ve done so far but it’s only the start for us as group.” The Bombers have recorded three wins and one loss to sit in seventh spot after their opening four matches but are just one game adrift of ladder leaders Melbourne.