One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on August 26, 2025, 10:32:17 PM
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AFLW Round 3
RICHMOND vs Essendon
Friday, 29th August @ TIO Stadium, Darwin.
Start time: 7:15 pm
Broadcast:
* 7mate & streamed on 7plus (all states & territories except Qld & SA)
* Fox Footy
* Kayo
* Binge
https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/broadcast-guide
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AFLW Injury Report: Round 3, 2025
AFLW High Performance Manager Eliza Morrison has provided this week’s injury update as the Tigers prepare to fly to Darwin for Dreamtime against the Bombers.
Paige Scott: Foot, Available
"Scotty had a painful collision in our Round 2 game, just before half time," Morrison said.
"Scotty was able to play through the rest of the game, and we are confident they will be available for this week."
Grace Egan: Lip, Test
"Grace suffered a lip laceration from the game. She had surgery yesterday and will be a test for this week's game," Morrison said.
Sarah Hosking: Hamstring, 1-3 weeks
"Hosko is tracking well through her progressions and will continue to progress through matchplay minutes," Morrison said.
Montana McKinnon: ACL, 1-3 weeks
"Monty made an exciting progression last weekend when she returned to matchplay minutes in scrimmage," Morrison said.
"We will continue to increase Monty's minutes and hope to have her available for AFLW selection in the next one to three weeks."
Tessa Lavey: Hamstring, 5-7 weeks
"Tessa is moving through her progressions as planned," Morrison said.
"She has been working hard on the track to tick everything off, and we hope to have her returning to drills in the next one to two weeks."
Injury List
Player Injury Estimated Return
Grace Egan Lip Test
Sarah Hosking Hamstring 1-3 weeks
Montana McKinnon ACL 1-3 weeks
Tessa Lavey Hamstring 5-7 weeks
Charley Ryan ACL Season
Zoe Hargreaves ACL Season
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1875656/aflw-injury-report-round-3
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The issues Tigers must fix after disappointing 0-2 start
By Sarah Black
afl.com.au
Aug 26, 2025
ZERO marks inside 50.
It'll be the stat that's hanging over Richmond's AFLW side this week in the aftermath of its 21-point loss to the rebuilding Western Bulldogs.
The Tigers lost an elimination final last year to a rampaging Port Adelaide, 10th the year prior, and went out in straight sets in the second half of 2022.
If they're any chance of once again finishing in the middle rungs of the ladder in 2025, let alone closing the gap on the top sides, the connection inside 50 must be addressed, and quickly.
Richmond doesn't lack quality marking targets – Caitlin Greiser is a dangerous contested mark and one of the cleanest set shots in the competition (especially under the tutelage of new goalkicking coach Brendon Fevola), and few can stop Katie Brennan on the lead.
Paige Scott is an ever-present threat and loves to launch at the footy, while even full-back Bec Miller – the tallest on Richmond's list – has been thrown forward at moments of desperation over the past fortnight.
The problems appear to stem further afield, to the midfield that is sorely missing departed bull Eilish Sheerin.
The star veteran was out of contract and looking to greener pastures, whether at eventual new home North Melbourne or back in her home state of New South Wales, but the mystery of the trade itself – just pick No.18 for a dual-All Australian – will continue to linger.
Monique Conti can't do much more, but more authority is needed from former No.1 pick Ellie McKenzie, who has the potential to be a multiple All-Australian herself. Finally injury free, and turning 23 this year, the time is now for McKenzie to assert herself as a genuine and consistent matchwinner.
The third midfield rotation remains a work in progress. Ally Dallaway had the role in round one, and was dropped, with Grace Egan (who, it must be acknowledged, picked up an untimely quad at the end of pre-season) inserted in round two.
Isabel Bacon, in her second year of senior footy, is also building her time on the ball.
During his post-match press conference, coach Ryan Ferguson – out of contract at the end of the year, and in his sixth season at the helm – almost pled for his side to provide greater support for Conti.
"Every week for years now, Mon cops that attention. I don't think she gets looked after well enough – probably from us, umpires weren't a factor today, it was all on us. But I think she can get some support there. She gets scragged a lot," he said.
"It's not about Mon. She's doing a lot for our team. We can help her. It's the balance of the whole midfield unit – how can we work off on each other better, for everyone, not just the one player. How do we get that synergy better?
Monique Conti in action during Richmond's clash against the Western Bulldogs in round two, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
"We need to have more than 21 inside 50s. That's a whole team thing, as well as an engine room thing."
Richmond has just five days to turn its season around, going from Ikon Park on Sunday to the foreign conditions of Darwin, facing Essendon on Friday night in the Dreamtime match.
Maybe the trip away will just be the tonic for a team that Ferguson said is low on confidence, and needs to work on its mental strength.
But in a 12-round season, and with 0-2 already on the board, the Tigers need to get cracking.
https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1403953/the-issues-richmond-tigers-must-fix-after-disappointing-0-2-start
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I agree with the above article
However, there is one glaring error in it.
It says that Sheerin was put of contract. This is simply not true. Eilish was contracted for this season. I know this for dare I say it a fact.
Source? Eilish Sheerin herself.
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Is it time to trade Conti?
Purely because it's cruel that the best player in the female game is at a club that clearly doesn't care about the AFLW
She obviously deserves better
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Is it time to trade Conti?
Purely because it's cruel that the best player in the female game is at a club that clearly doesn't care about the AFLW
She obviously deserves better
Don't think we should try to trade her but TBH the last two trade periods I've been a bit surprised she hasn't asked for one herself for that same reason.
Bit like Richo vs Lids. One stayed, one didn't, but ultimately I don't really blame Lids for what he did after all that service.
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Don’t waste your time. Dumb and Dumber running the team and not surprisingly we are rubbish outside of Conti
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Tigers take 'ownership' as Dreamtime looms
AFL Media
Aug 28, 2025
Richmond AFLW captain Katie Brennan has taken "ownership" of a difficult opening two rounds of the season, with the group adamant it has refocused for Dreamtime in Darwin.
With the squad ready to take on Essendon at TIO Stadium on Friday night, Brennan reflected on the areas they'll look to improve on.
"We didn't transition the ball the way we know we can (last week). We feel we've got the game plan and the weapons to execute that game plan," Brennan said on Thursday.
"But there's things falling down. Fundamental errors, or dropping marks, giving away free kicks, that we put our hands up as forwards. We want to be better.
"There's a link there. We feel like we are so close. We're ready to take that next step, to take ownership to know that we need to be better."
Richmond did not take a mark inside 50 last week in their loss to the Western Bulldogs, and fell away against a fast-finishing Swans side the week before.
But the slate has been wiped clean, with the chance to rewrite the season, away from home.
"It's looking at all the areas we know that we can improve on, not shying away from it and being strong. But it's also knowing that it's (our best footy) is there, and taking confidence in knowing how much preparation we put in over the off-season," Brennan said.
"We're almost trying too hard at times, so it's relaxing and letting our footy do the talking.
"We are really hungry to play our best footy and we're excited about that prospect. So just galvanise and know that our best is yet to come."
The skipper, who is in her 10th season of AFLW, admitted that getting away from the routine of Melbourne is doing the team, and her, a world of good.
"Getting on the road is one of the best parts about footy and spending time together," Brennan said.
"I know I'm not at my best. We want to be at our best. You take the learnings from it, you've got to keep moving forward. You just get hungry for the next contest.
"It's important to be in the moment and keep chipping away at what you can control."
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1878454/tigers-take-ownership-as-dreamtime-looms
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IN: Sierra Grieves (debutant), Ally Dallaway, Charli Wicksteed
OUT: Rebecca Miller (Injured), Grace Egan (Injured), Lulu Beatty (Omitted)
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RICHMOND
B: Laura McClelland Libby Graham
HB: Jodie Hicks Gabby Seymour Beth Lynch
C: Maddie Shevlin Isabel Bacon Kate Dempsey
HF: Sierra Grieves Paige Scott Montana Beruldsen
F: Katie Brennan Caitlin Greiser
R: Poppy Kelly Monique Conti Ellie McKenzie
Int: Ally Dallaway Katelyn Cox Emelia Yassir Charli Wicksteed Mackenzie Ford
Emg: Lulu Beatty Lauren Brazzale Shelby Knoll
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1877358/team-selection-round-3-dreamtime
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Just started.
29 degrees in Darwin btw.
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3 chances already and still no score :P.
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:facepalm.
First to ball and you completely miss it and fail to rush it through and gift the opposition a goal :facepalm.
0 - 7
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These umps ::). Just cost us a goal thanks to a BS free against us ::).
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Bacon to the hot spot where Scott is one-on-one and she gets our first :gotigers.
Rich 1.0-6
Ess 1.1-7
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Goal to the Dons.
6 - 14
Should have been a clear HTB free to us in the lead up ::).
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Quarter time
Richmond 1.0-6
Essendon 2.2-14
Goal: Scott
We're at least trying to play a system tonight (kick and mark game) but it's not organised. Essendon feeding off our errors in our back half and they have greater leg speed.
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Stats to QT:
Conti 11 disposals
McKenzie 10
Hicks 7
Brennan 6
Dallaway 5
Lynch 5
McClellaand 5
Disposals 83 - 76 ..... ( contested: 35 - 32 )
Efficiency% 66 - 64
Marks 11 - 3
Tackles 18 - 11
Clearances 4 - 8 .... ( centre: 2 - 2 )
Inside 50s 7 - 10
In50 eff.% 29 - 50
In50 marks 1 - 0
In50 tackles 2 - 1
Hitouts 8 - 2
Frees 6 - 4
https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/matches/7886#team-stats
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A clueless rabble in defence. Mind you Graham had her legs taken out and no free. Another goal to the Bombers.
6 - 21
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Shevlin from 50 to the goalsquare and Kelly takes the mark in the middle of the pack 10m out. Misses a sitter dead in front :P.
7 - 21
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Conti to Seymour who has pushed up to HF. Goes long and Scott marks in front 25m out. Another shank and miss dead in front :banghead.
8 - 21
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And this is where Ferguson shows what a dud coach he is. No structure forward or behind the ball.
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Why would you have a forward set up with your small forward in the goalsquare isolated against 3 opponents?! :facepalm
Rushed point to us.
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Half time
Richmond 1.0 1.3-9
Essendon 2.2 3.4-22
Goal: Scott
Hard to win when you can't kick goals. Inside 50 efficiency is Rich 27% Ess 63%. Amateur 'coach' = unprofessional team.
McKenzie our best so far. Quality drops away quickly after her and Conti.
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Stats to HT:
McKenzie 16 disposals
Conti 15
Hicks 12
Brennan 10
Shevlin 9
Dempsey 8
Dallaway 7
Grieves 7
Lynch 6
McClelland 6
Scott 6
Seymour 6
Wickstead 6
Cox 5
Greiser 5
Bacon 4
Graham 4
Kelly 4
Yassir 3
Beruldsen 1
Ford 0
Disposals 141 - 145 ..... ( contested: 59 - 55 )
Efficiency% 65 - 66
Marks 23 - 16
Tackles 23 - 22
Clearances 7 - 12 .... ( centre: 3 - 3 )
Inside 50s 15 - 16
In50 eff.% 27 - 63
In50 marks 3 - 1
In50 tackles 3 - 4
Hitouts 11 - 4
Frees 8 - 10 ::)
https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/matches/7886#team-stats
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OMG we actually moved the ball by foot in a systematic way :gobdrop
Brennan gets on the end of it and goals :gotigers
Rich 2.3-15
Ess 3.4-22
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And then we give up a soft goal by kicking it sideways across HB to an outnumbered teammate :facepalm.
15 - 29
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Ford free 45 out. Goes to the goalsquare. Scott grabs it but her kick through defenders is touched through.
16 - 29
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Not watching the AFLW
Happily watching the Storm -v- Roosters
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Let's keep kicking it to where Essendon has all their defenders together ::).
18 - 29
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Well that sums us up. Beruldsen ignores McKenzie and snaps around her body at goal and it goes high and wide straight to the only Essendon defender :facepalm.
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Well that was decent desperate play from HB. Yassir goals with 20 secs left in the quarter.
Rich 3.6-24
Ess 4.6-30
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3/4 time
Richmond 1.0 1.3 3.6-24
Essendon 2.2 3.4 4.6-30
Goal: Scott, Brennan, Yassir.
We dominated the last 10 mins of that quarter with the ball in our first half. Problem is we have no system once we go inside 50. It's just bomb and hope and Essendon's defence have the numbers waiting for it. We're getting our goals more from breaking out off HB against the Essendon press rather than making the most of our regular inside 50s.
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Stats to 3QT:
Conti 23 disposals
McKenzie 23
Brennan 15
Hicks 15
Dallaway 15
Disposals 218 - 202 ..... ( contested: 86 - 79 )
Efficiency% 68 - 65
Marks 40 - 30
Tackles 35 - 36
Clearances 12 - 16 .... ( centre: 5 - 5 )
Inside 50s 24 - 25
In50 eff.% 32 - 58
In50 marks 7 - 3
In50 tackles 6 - 4
Hitouts 20 - 4
Frees 14 - 15
https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/matches/7886#team-stats
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3 points (2 rushed) to 1 so far this quarter.
27 - 31
Greiser having a mare tonight.
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Two terrible errors by Cox. Fumbled the handpass in the centre and then doesn't go for the ball in defence. Goal to Essendon against the run of play.
27 - 37
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The skill level is abysmal
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Goal to Essendon. Again off our spudness going forward and they rebound the other way.
27 - 43
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Paige Scott has been an another useless wasted pick by the brains trust Sheehan.
This club has no idea. It's beyond a joke now.
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Besides Conti, the whole team lacks the necessary basic skill and football nous.
The defence is really poor this year. Our forwards structure and entries are atrocious. The forwards don't have clear direction when to lead and most often dont.
It's really embarrassing to watch how terrible it's become.
Rudderless.
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I agree with the above article
However, there is one glaring error in it.
It says that Sheerin was put of contract. This is simply not true. Eilish was contracted for this season. I know this for dare I say it a fact.
Source? Eilish Sheerin herself.
yes
Can't blame her for jumping this sinking ship. I think she saw the crap up close and didn't like the smell.
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Final Score
Richmond 1.0 1.3 3.6 3.10-28
Essendon 2.2 3.4 4.6 6.7-43
Goal: Scott, Brennan, Yassir.
We aren't winning a game this season :nope. We actually had a dip tonight as a team (aside from Greiser who was woeful) but that's not enough. We have no system going inside 50 and even when we do get a shot at goal we just butcher so many chances including sitters. 3.10 plus all the non-scores tonight is just a further example of the lack of basic standards. A dud coach and too many players who shouldn't be playing AFLW thanks to a dud recruiter and zero development.
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Besides Conti, the whole team lacks the necessary basic skill and football nous.
The defence is really poor this year. Our forwards structure and entries are atrocious. The forwards don't have clear direction when to lead and most often dont.
It's really embarrassing to watch how terrible it's become.
Rudderless.
McKenzie was also good tonight IMO but agree with everything else. Rudderless is the perfect word for our AFLW program. The state it is in is a disgrace and the responsibility goes all the way to the top for its inaction. We effectively have to have a complete cleanout and start again from the bottom.
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Didn’t watch it
Glad I didn't
But I will wait to hear the excuses the Coach comes up with. Which I'm sure will include him taking zero responsibility for the mess we find ourselves in.
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Didn’t watch it
Glad I didn't
But I will wait to hear the excuses the Coach comes up with. Which I'm sure will include him taking zero responsibility for the mess we find ourselves in.
No doubt he'll blame our crap goalkicking tonight ("If we had taken our chances blah blah blah ...") while ignoring the fact it's his job to get the team to do regular goalkicking practice at training so they don't miss sitter after sitter from 10-15m out directly in front.
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Stats:
It was an improved display from the Tigers who won contested possession by nine and inside 50s by 10 for the match, but they will rue their inaccuracy in front of goal, kicking just three goals from 13 scoring shots. Essendon led from start to finish and cashed in from intercept, outscoring Richmond by 21 points from this source (4.3.27 to 0.5.5).
Individual Stats:
Conti 29 disposals
McKenzie 27
Dallaway 18
Grieves 18
Hicks 17
Shevlin 17
Brennan 16
Dempsey 14
Lynch 14
McClelland 14
Kelly 13
Scott 13
Wicksteed 12
Bacon 11
Graham 10
Seymour 10
Greiser 9
Cox 7
Ford 5
Yassir 5
Beruldsen 4
Disposals 284 - 273 ..... ( contested: 116 - 106 ; uncontested: 158 - 160 )
Efficiency% 67 - 66
Kicks 162 - 148
Handballs 122 - 125
Turnovers 58 - 66
Marks 47 - 44 ..... ( contested marks: 4 - 4 )
Tackles 45 - 50
Clearances 17 - 20 .... ( centre: 7 - 6; stoppages: 10 - 14 )
Inside 50s 40 - 29 ....... 40 inside 50s for just 3 goals ::)
In50 eff.% 30 - 59
In50 marks 8 - 4
In50 tackles 6 - 4
Hitouts 23 - 6
Bounces 1 - 0
One %ers 35 - 24
Frees 17 - 24
https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/matches/7886#team-stats
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Bombers defeat Tigers in Dreamtime
Richmond compete hard but left to rue missed chances as Essendon stays unbeaten.
By Sarah Black
AFL Media
Aug 29, 2025, 9:28 pm
RICHMOND 1.0 1.3 3.6 3.10 (28)
ESSENDON 2.2 3.4 4.6 6.7 (43)
GOALS
Richmond: Scott, Brennan, Yassir
Essendon: Alexander 2, Gee 2, McLachlan, Clarke
BEST
Richmond: McKenzie, Conti, Grieves, Shevlin, Scott
Essendon: Nanscawen, Cain, Prespakis, Gaylor, Alexander
INJURIES
Richmond: Brennan (wrist/hand)
Essendon: Nil
Crowd: 5,892 at TIO Stadium
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Richmond has dropped to 0-3 to start the season, while Essendon has made it three from three, after a gritty 15-point win in the second edition of Dreamtime in Darwin on Friday night.
The Tigers were far better than last week's performance in the 21-point loss to Western Bulldogs, but 10 behinds for the match – including three crucial misses in the last term – put paid to any idea of a come-from-behind victory, despite recording 15-4 inside 50s in the last quarter.
Essendon defended grimly throughout, and set up its win through strong contest work and taking its opportunities in front of goal, with Sophie Alexander and Georgia Gee each booting their second in the final stanza of the game to secure the 6.7 (43) to 3.10 (28) victory.
Richmond skipper Katie Brennan remains an injury watch, nursing what appeared to be a jarred hand or wrist for the second half of the game.
Brennan had made quick work of the team's unwelcome record of zero marks inside 50 last week, locking one down in the opening minute, while Paige Scott slotted Richmond's first, coming against their former club.
At the other end of the field, Essendon key back Georgia Clarke – who featured up forward in another life at Geelong – showed off some sharp footwork in front of goal with a curling effort while running towards the boundary.
It was a hot start from the Bombers, until Richmond reasserted some control on the match, but Scott and Poppy Kelly blew crucial shots in the second term from directly in front to leave the margin at 13 points at half-time.
The Tigers had 21 more disposals in the third quarter, which was bookended by goals from Brennan and Emelia Yassir.
It left the margin hovering at just six points at the major break - with last year's Dreamtime draw on everyone's mind - but the Bombers were far more efficient in attack in the final term, despite the absence of suspended co-captain Bonnie Toogood.
Essendon was able to overcome Kelly's dominance in the middle against winger-turned ruck Matilda Dyke, winning the clearance count by three despite a differential of 17 in the hit-outs.
Richmond youngster Sierra Grieves (18 disposals and 406m gained) starred on debut, having bafflingly slid to pick No.11 in the draft last year, while Georgia Nanscawen was the Bombers' best, laying 12 tackles in the long sleeves despite Darwin's heat.
Last year's 11-round season required 7.5 wins to make finals, so it's fair to say this year's 12-round season will need a similar number of victories in order to make the eight. With Richmond now 0-3, next week's fixture with Narrm becomes a vital clash.
Dreamtime in Darwin
The second edition of Dreamtime in Darwin was held in the much cooler late August, compared to last year's stifling October, but the temperature still hovered just shy of 30 degrees at the first siren, with conditions a little slippery underfoot. Ice rooms behind the benches were in effect at every break, with team meetings held in the cool spaces, and half time was three minutes longer than normal. A healthy crowd just shy of 6000 attended the game, putting it in the top handful of crowd attendances so far this year.
Up next
Richmond faces Narrm in the first game on Saturday afternoon of Round 4 at Casey Fields.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1879889/bombers-defeat-tigers-in-dreamtime
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(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/08/29/83210738-247b-4ad8-8151-d8784be31725/OZxwjf0b.png?width=344&height=215) (https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1879914/aflw-round-3-ferguson-post-match)
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1879914/aflw-round-3-ferguson-post-match
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(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/08/29/83210738-247b-4ad8-8151-d8784be31725/OZxwjf0b.png?width=344&height=215) (https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1879914/aflw-round-3-ferguson-post-match)
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1879914/aflw-round-3-ferguson-post-match
Listened
Blah, blah
:sleep
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"I'm really proud of the group by the way we applied ourselves, we just didn't get scoreboard nourishment"
:rollin :chuck :chuck :facepalm
This guy is delusional.
Girls don't have the basic skill execution and we are clearly way behind even the bulldogs in player development.
If players constantly try to offload the ball to an outnumber (which has happened consistently this season) by hand or foot literally causing turnovers you'd think this would be addressed by now.
Things that need to be addressed on field.
1) Consistent stupid brainless and mindless decision making.
2) Forwards that rarely present on a lead
3) Terrible skill execution ie. handpassing, kicking, marking and tackling. All that shouldn't be an excuse at this level by the majority of the team.
4) our team defensive structure is deplorable. Clearly our players have no idea what is expected when the ball is won on turnover.
5) player positioning and body craft ie. Grieser is a big girl but just doesn't use that to her advantage but she clearly has no idea and I'm not sure how Fev has helped as she seemed to have gone backward. She should be the female version of Plugger.
6) an increase in silly free kicks especially push in the back (see point 5)
7) player development is lacking compared to other teams in the league.
-8) our captain has been rubbish
Off the field
1) The club clearly doesn't take the program seriously.
2) Kate Sheahan
3) Player development
4) Coaching
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"I'm really proud of the group by the way we applied ourselves, we just didn't get scoreboard nourishment"
:rollin :chuck :chuck :facepalm
This guy is delusional.
Girls don't have the basic skill execution and we are clearly way behind even the bulldogs in player development.
If players constantly try to offload the ball to an outnumber (which has happened consistently this season) by hand or foot literally causing turnovers you'd think this would be addressed by now.
Things that need to be addressed on field.
1) Consistent stupid brainless and mindless decision making.
2) Forwards that rarely present on a lead
3) Terrible skill execution ie. handpassing, kicking, marking and tackling. All that shouldn't be an excuse at this level by the majority of the team.
4) our team defensive structure is deplorable. Clearly our players have no idea what is expected when the ball is won on turnover.
5) player positioning and body craft ie. Grieser is a big girl but just doesn't use that to her advantage but she clearly has no idea and I'm not sure how Fev has helped as she seemed to have gone backward. She should be the female version of Plugger.
6) an increase in silly free kicks especially push in the back (see point 5)
7) player development is lacking compared to other teams in the league.
-8) our captain has been rubbish
Off the field
1) The club clearly doesn't take the program seriously.
2) Kate Sheahan
3) Player development
4) Coaching
I've been a long time coming around to your way of thinking but sadly I now agree
I can't defend them anymore especially the off field
And TBBH, I'm shattered with what I'm seeing
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Positives aplenty despite Darwin defeat
By Luke Sicari
Richmond Media
Aug 30, 2025
Richmond coach Ryan Ferguson has highlighted plenty of positives from Friday night’s Dreamtime in Darwin, despite the Tigers falling 15-points short of Essendon.
A quick glance at key statistical categories would suggest a Richmond victory, with the Tigers recording more disposals (287-275), inside 50s (40-29), hit-outs (23-6) and contested possessions (120-108), but it was inefficiency in attack that ultimately proved to be the decisive factor.
Richmond kicked just 3.10 (28), with the Bombers more damaging with their 6.7 (43) return.
Ferguson praised both teams for a high-quality game and believes in the brand the Tigers showcased on Friday night, but understands the importance of building scoreboard pressure to take advantage of the strong play.
“I’m really proud of our group of how we applied ourselves. I thought we got the game very much on our terms in the second half, but we couldn’t finish it off,” Ferguson said.
“I thought we played a great brand of footy, I know we didn’t get scoreboard nourishment, and we wanted to take more shots in front of goal and kick more goals and create more opportunities…3.10 and 10.3 looks a bit different.
“I thought we were over-running them in the second half and almost had them on the ropes, but we just couldn’t take those moments, and they were really good at taking some moments that took the energy back in their favour.
“I thought we were so tough, so mentally strong, played out every moment and when challenged, we just fought back. I thought we were really getting at them, but we just couldn’t get that finishing touch.”
Despite the encouraging signs, the result leaves Richmond with an 0-3 record ahead of next week’s clash with the unbeaten Demons.
Discussing the win-loss record, Ferguson explained how it is a balancing act of not getting caught up in how the campaign might play out and instead keeping the focus on executing a Richmond style of game.
“The challenge is to not worry about what that might mean or what that looks like going forward versus we play like this, and we continue to make subtle adjustments, and we can still get so much better,” he said.
“If we maintain that energy and that style of footy, and that hunt and that work rate, that togetherness, and that exciting (footy)…our game progressed and looked much more like the game we wanted.
“Invest in that and not get too worried about what that might mean or what might happen in the future.”
Ferguson confirmed there is no injury concerns for captain Katie Brennan, who was nursing what appeared to be a jarred hand or wrist in the second half, while adding Grace Egan (lip) and Bec Miller (soreness) should both be available for selection next week.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1879939/positives-aplenty-despite-darwin-defeat
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As I posted earleir blah, blah
" Almost had them on the ropes" :help :facepalm :damnpc :chuck :blah :pullhair
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“If we maintain that energy and that style of footy, and that hunt and that work rate, that togetherness, and that exciting (footy)…our game progressed and looked much more like the game we wanted."
Dropped chest marks? handball to the feet of a teammate? kick to an outnumber? no system?
No forward motion?
What's the "energy"? Kick and hope?
What we've seen this year is anything but " exciting".
It's going to take a miracle to get this trainwreck back on track.
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Only 11 rounds, so don’t stress if you do watch it
AFL and NRL finals and then it will really nearly be done