The Mansfield product has battled hard to recover from a "tricky" ankle injury sustained in the VFLW ranks last year, but is ready and raring to go ahead of another season at the highest level.
“It was a bit of syndesmosis which is a very tricky ankle injury, it was about four months to heal and five weeks in a boot, it's a really gradual recovery,” Toogood said
“It really changed my perspective on the rehab group and made me appreciate celebrating the small wins so much more.
“I had to gradually start running again and it probably helped me work into the pre-season and get my confidence back going into round one this week.”
Toogood mostly plies her trade as a key forward target for the Bulldogs — bagging three goals in a practice match last week to highlight her talents — but enjoyed a purple patch across half-back in the VFLW last year prior to her injury.
“I really like that I can be a versatile player for the Doggies,” Toogood said.
“(Coach Nathan Burke) has given me a little bit of confidence that I can be down forward a bit more, but there's always that conversation of maybe we might throw you down back in a hole.”
That she is playing top-level football at all is a regular cause for reflection for Toogood, who is excited for not only her generation of female competitors but all those who will follow in her footsteps.
“I always pinch myself,” she said.
“From where I was playing netball in the GVNL, a few years later I never thought I'd be playing AFL footy.
“The social change AFLW is making is huge, not just in footy but in everyday life as well.
“Young girls look up to us now and know they can achieve anything.
“I'm always proud to be representing the red, white and blue.”
As for those doubting how far the Bulldogs can go this season — with their campaign starting on Sunday against St Kilda — Toogood was confident they had a shock coming their way.
“Obviously we're very excited,” she said.
“It's very interesting where our group is at, we've been pretty underrated so far.
“We've been told that we're a young group but we've got confidence in everyone on our list.
“Watch out for the Doggies this year, we love that we're the underdogs.
“We're not putting too much pressure on ourselves but will be going out there to get a few wins.”
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