ESSENDON'S first ever AFLW recruit, Georgia Nanscawen, is set to miss the club's inaugural season after rupturing her ACL during Sunday's VFLW Grand Final. 

In the dying moments of the game, where Essendon was comfortably in control, Nanscawen landed awkwardly across the half-back line and had to be helped from the ground. The Bombers' co-captain had racked up 22 disposals and 10 tackles as she led her undefeated side to its first premiership. 

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Nanscawen confirmed the worst via social media on Monday, stating "now... to smash the record for quickest ACL rehab". 

"It's always a risk when we put our players out there to play through the [VFLW] finals. But it was something that we considered, you know, them playing in big games and having that opportunity to play in high pressure situations and continue to hone their craft," Essendon head coach Natalie Wood said at Monday's fixture announcement.  

"It's terribly unfortunate for Georgia and made yesterday quite bittersweet." 

Essendon will launch its inaugural AFLW season on Saturday August 27th against Hawthorn at ETU Stadium.