Preview: Richmond versus West Coast EaglesThe final match of Round 3 could see a breakthrough for either Richmond or the West Coast Eagles – either the former club’s first win, or for the latter, their first win outside of Western Australia.
After failing to win a single match last season, the Tigers have shown considerable improvement in their first two rounds, even if their results suggest otherwise.
Sabrina Frederick kicked the first goal of the game against Melbourne last week, but the yellow-and-black could only muster one goal thereafter as they fell to Melbourne by 28 points.
And while the improvement is there, honourable losses will no longer be an excuse, and this Sunday’s clash against the Eagles at Punt Road Oval will present the Tigers their best chance yet to record their maiden win, after eight straight losses to begin their time in AFL Women’s.
But it will not come easy against a side which lost to premiership fancies Fremantle by only nine points in a Western Derby that was played behind closed doors last Sunday.
After being stung by the news that Dana Hooker would miss the rest of the season due to an off-field foot injury, the Eagles were further challenged when they lost two players to injury by the final change, that coach Daniel Pratt decided to prioritise health over glory.
Still, the blue-and-golds got to within six points in the final quarter, only to lose by nine points, despite the best efforts of second-year player Mikayla Bowen who gathered eighteen disposals.
And while the Eagles will enter the match against the Tigers with somewhat of a psychological edge, having won one match in its existence so far, the Tigers surely won’t want to waste their best opportunity yet to notch up a maiden win, and how appropriate would it be that it comes at home.
Prediction: Richmond by 10 points.
https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/02/09/2021-afl-womens-season-round-3-preview/
