AFLW Tigers draw with Saints in match simBy Richmond Media
12 August 2023Richmond AFLW drew with St Kilda in a match simulation at RSEA Park on Friday, the final score reading 5.5 (25) apiece.
The Tigers and the Saints played out three 20-minute periods followed by a 15-minute period, with no time on.
Richmond fans got a glimpse at recruits Caitlin Greiser, Molly Eastman and Courtney Jones, as well as draftee Shelby Knoll and replacement players Charli Wicksteed and Lilly Pearce, who all featured throughout the contest.
Despite back-to-back Saints majors in the final quarter, a late goal from Richmond's Katelyn Cox tied up the score at full time.
Cox was among the Tigers' best, stationed up forward where she was smart, reliable and tackled hard.
St Kilda got away early in the first quarter with the opening goal of the hit-out, before classy skipper Katie Brennan booted Richmond's first out of the ruck later that term.
Monique Conti and Eilish Sheerin were involved throughout, and Ellie McKenzie was explosive from the get-go, looking set for a big season. A highlight of the quarter came when McKenzie hit up Caitlin Greiser inside-50 with a pin-point pass, Greiser then taking an impressive mark.
Sarah D'Arcy was tough in the contest all day and took a strong contested mark inside 50, but wasn't able to make the distance.
This continued throughout a scrappy second quarter, as the Tigers had multiple shots on goal but couldn't convert.
Newly-appointed vice-captain and ruck Gabby Seymour lifted the team around her, while wing Kate Dempsey showed her pre-season fitness and was clean and tidy.
Richmond was five-points down at half-time but turned things around in the third term, locking the ball inside its forward 50 and booting three goals to give themselves a seven-point lead at the final change.
As she approaches her third AFLW season, Stella Reid looked confident in the Tigers' forward line, converting a set-shot with ease before McKenzie also slotted one from a similar spot.
Wicksteed showcased her damaging speed running through the midfield, while Eastman has slotted in well into Richmond's defence.
Star recruit Greiser, an All Australian and former AFL Women’s Leading Goalkicker, said the Tigers showed plenty of positives in the hit-out against her old side.
"I think the girls played really well and we worked well together," she said.
"There's going to be so many learnings to come from today, we'll go back and look at the vision and work on the positives and the things we need to work on as well.
"I felt confident to get out there and play my role... And I'm really proud of the group's effort and how we went as a team.
"Looking forward to going interstate with the girls next week, it's exciting to bond and creating that culture. Travelling together is really important, and I already feel like they're my family."
The Tigers final pre-season challenge will see them travel to Sydney to face GWS next Friday at Blacktown International Sports Complex from 4.05pm.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1401321/aflw-tigers-draw-with-saints-in-match-sim
