'We've added layers of depth': FergusonRichmond AFLW coach Ryan Ferguson believes the Tigers are in a "really great place to attack next season" after showing clear signs of improvements in 2022.
By Grace Kalac
Richmond Media
31 March 2022Richmond AFLW coach Ryan Ferguson believes the Tigers are in a "really great place to attack next season" after showing clear signs of improvements in 2022.
Despite struggling to convert this improvement into wins, Ferguson is confident the Tigers now have the tools to produce more consistent football going forward.
"Next season is the season we do want to spike and jump and create that footy more consistently," he said.
"There were reasons why it was difficult to do that this year, but our added layers of depth did shine through.
"We were super competitive every week and played some good footy against good teams and had some outstanding victories.
"There were certain games we weren't happy with, but that only adds to the resolve of the group and makes them more hungry."
With three AFLW seasons now under the Club's belt, Ferguson said Richmond's growth came from a number of different avenues.
"(The improvement) comes from individuals, it comes from us playing our style of footy more often, and understanding ourselves and our game better," he said.
"Hopefully we retain our list as much as possible, we're really confident of the environment we've created.
"And adding some excitement to our list as well."
The Tigers notched a number of notable wins in 2022, including their first-ever Round 1 win and their first win against an inaugural AFLW side.
"I thought we came out in Round 1 really playing a good, strong brand of footy with a big crowd on a big occasion, and performed really well," Ferguson said.
"I thought our GWS game, where we were faced with a pretty aggressive opponent...and beating an inaugural team...that was a jump for us and a brutal type of game where we put our best footy on display."
It was a testing season for all AFLW sides and the Tigers were no exception, playing through most of the season with a depleted list due to injuries and AFL Health and Safety Protocols.
"I thought we were faced with a lot of challenges like other teams were... (but) I thought our brand of footy shone through and hopefully all the fans saw that," Ferguson said.
"We were happy with how we recruited last year and it did help us survive some of those tougher times where we were battling quite deep in the list through injury... we'll be looking to add to our list again and for those players to step up again and continue their growth."
Vice-captain Harriet Cordner's season-sending ACL injury in Round 2 was tough to swallow, but the adversity gave defensive duo Bec Miller and Sarah D'Arcy the opportunity to step up and lead the Tigers' backline.
Twenty-six-year-old Miller went on to assert herself as one of the competition’s premier key defenders, earning All Australian squad selection earlier this week alongside Monique Conti and skipper Katie Brennan.
"Bec was outstanding, she took her game to a new level," Ferguson said.
"And then for her to bounce off Sarah and create that partnership... It was a bit of a revolving door in defence at times and those two in particular, with Jess Hosking, Maddie Shevlin and Beth Lynch, were able to create a bit of stability.
"Their development was really pleasing to see."
Midfield star Mon Conti went to another level in 2022, leading the competition for contested possessions (15.2) while averaging 24 disposals, 337 metres gained, five clearances and six tackles per game.
"It started way back in pre-season, where she was able to put her best foot forward on the track and lead by example and break new barriers for her himself with her standards," Ferguson said.
"It set herself up really well and set a great example for others, that was a big bonus for us."
Having seen the benefits that came with Conti focusing solely on football this season, the sky's the limit for cross-coder and Olympic basketballer Tessa Lavey, who, depending on when the AFLW season is, may be available for the entirety of next season.
"Our conversations with Tessa are that she's pumped for the season coming up and she really wants to commit to football, and we are really hopeful we'll have her more consistently," Ferguson said.
"We had her consistently in pre-season and that was great, she was able to rub off on the group and improve her football skills.
"The more we can have her, the better we'll be."
Age has proven no limit for 34-year-old key forward Courtney Wakefield, who showed her class when she returned to the side in Round 9 following a stint on the sidelines.
"She's got plenty of years of football left in her if that's what she wants," Ferguson said.
"She's got to weigh up her family life and all those sorts of things, but she inspires her teammates every day. If she is away from training, her standards and commitment are so high that she just comes back in great shape.
"We're wowed by her constantly."
As the Tigers await confirmation on when the next AFLW season will commence, Ferguson said they're ready for all possibilities.
"There's a bit of uncertainty but we're planning for an August start which makes it a June pre-season," he said.
"And if something changes or if it's confirmed a different way, we'll just adjust. Most teams are getting really good at adjusting to changes, so we're pretty locked into being ready for that if it does happen."
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1090588/-we-ve-added-layers-of-depth-ferguson
