It comes after Egan revealed last week that she had battled significant health challenges that saw the star midfielder hospitalised for three weeks, unable to eat, and drop 14 kilograms in an ordeal that saw the 25-year-old’s build-up to the campaign significantly affected.
Despite this, Egan’s grit and determination saw her regain her billing as one of Richmond’s best performed in a season that saw the Tigers finish 16th.
The 66-gamer averaged 19 disposals and three clearances in an industrious nine-game stretch, a run made more remarkable given the ordeal in April that saw Egan admitted to the Epworth Hospital twice.
"(The second time), it was just way, way worse," Egan said to AFL.com.au.
"I just could not keep anything down, and anything that I tried to eat would come straight back up.
“I was just weak and fatigued. I couldn't say awake because if I was awake, I would be in pain.
"I was pretty much just going through a cycle of trying to eat, then it would come back up, then I would have morphine, then I would go to sleep. I just had no weight left on me. I was 14kg down by this point.
“There was just nothing left of me.”
Last Saturday, Egan was Richmond’s best-on-ground with 29 disposals, four tackles and six marks in a 14-point defeat to the Gold Coast in the final round.
In what turned out to be her final game for Richmond, Egan said it was a point of pride to get back to some of her best football.
“Six months ago, I thought I was never playing football again,” she said.
“So, to get back to where I am and more, I’m just so proud of myself to build that mental strength and build back to playing football.
“Something I’ve learnt along the journey is that football gives me purpose, and if it wasn’t for footy, I probably wouldn’t be as healthy as I am right now.”
The 13th pick in the 2019 draft, Egan stands as one of the more experienced talents running around the AFLW and looks likely to attract significant interest from other clubs in the off-season.
Meanwhile in Western Australia, her sister Holly remains sidelined, continuing her rehabilitation from an ACL injury suffered during a practice match.
Egan was drafted by Fremantle with the 34th pick of the 2024 draft and will be a crucial component in the Dockers' mission to reach finals.
