Emily Gough, a forward for Essendon, experienced a devastating moment familiar to many female athletes when she tore her ACL. At just 19 years old, Gough had recently secured a two-year contract extension with the Bombers and was participating in the VFLW to gain additional experience for the upcoming 2025 season when the injury occurred during a marking contest.
Reflecting on her situation, Gough expressed her dismay at the injury that has sidelined numerous players in her league. “You hear about so many, it kind of gets lost that another person has just done their ACL,” she remarked in an interview with ABC Sport as she prepared for the 2026 AFLW season. “It’s a significant injury, and being out for twelve months is a long time.” By the end of last year, over 15 players were known to be in recovery or managing ACL reconstructions within the league, with Port Adelaide alone reporting five affected athletes, many of whom were early in their careers.
Having entered her second season with Essendon, Gough felt disheartened by the prospect of missing a crucial period for her development. “I feel like I’m a year behind now,” she admitted, noting that she had come into the league alongside teammates Amy Gaylor and Chloe Adams and felt the weight of lost opportunities. “Crap, I missed a whole year of football,” she added, highlighting her concerns about lagging behind her peers.
To help shift her mindset regarding the injury, Gough engaged in discussions with Essendon’s head coach, Natalie Wood, focusing on the lessons learned off the field and gaining a new perspective on the game. However, the time away from playing remained a significant loss.
Although the timing of her injury allowed for some recovery before the AFLW season, Gough’s rehabilitation faced early challenges. “I had a bit of a rough run in my recovery, probably from the three to the six-month mark; I knew it didn’t really get much better,” she explained.
After undergoing two surgeries, Essendon facilitated Gough’s treatment at a rehabilitation center in Doha, Qatar. “It’s like physio Disneyland; it’s incredible,” she described, noting that while many male athletes have benefited from the facility, it is crucial for investment in women’s sports to provide similar opportunities for female athletes. “Hopefully, as women’s sports grow, we can see more women getting the treatment they need overseas,” Gough said, expressing gratitude for her club’s support in sending her there for an intensive program.
The Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha, where Gough received treatment, is renowned for its specialized care, having hosted many Essendon male players like Nate Caddy and Jordan Ridley. During her five-day intensive program, Gough underwent assessments that concentrated on the muscles and joints around her knee rather than the injury itself, testing her glutes, hips, footwork, running, and directional changes.
While Gough acknowledged that Australian physiotherapists are skilled, she emphasized that the Doha specialists have extensive experience with ACL injuries. “They just see more ACLs, which is the difference, and they see everyone coming internationally,” she noted. Additionally, she pointed out the benefits of one-on-one care during her intensive stay, contrasting it with the limited resources often available in women’s sports, where two physiotherapists are responsible for thirty players. “I feel like I got that, and it underscored the importance of how much time and investment they provided, for which I was very grateful,” she concluded.
