AFLW 1st Qualifying Final: Richmond vs Brisbane @ Metricon, Sat. Nov. 5

[one-eyed]

The first 50 games have been pretty special @moniiquecontii, but the best is yet to come


https://twitter.com/RichmondWomens/status/1587682229479936000

 

[one-eyed]

Road to glory: Your team's greatest strength heading into finals

Gemma Bastiani
womens.afl
3 November 2022

Richmond

As has become apparent over the past two months, Richmond defends to the death. Conceding an average 21.7 points per game from just 26.2 inside 50s, the Tigers are exceptionally difficult to score against thanks to a full field defensive mindset and desperate one-percenters on the last line, as exemplified by Gabby Seymour's smother in round five's last-gasp win against Brisbane.

Richmond is allowing opponents to score from just 35.5 per cent of inside 50 entries, and only 10.7 per cent of those entries have resulted in a goal - the lowest in competition history. 

Richmond's tough defence
                                                                                   Conceded by Richmond (Season 7)

Points                                                                                    21.7

Scoring Efficiency - Shots on Goal per Inside 50 entry (%)         35.5

Goal Efficiency - Goals per Inside 50 entry (%)                         10.7

Goal Accuracy (%)                                                                  30.1


The side has had to do this without several key players throughout the season, including Rebecca Miller, Sarah Hosking, Maddie Shevlin and Katie Brennan, who are typically all vital to Richmond's structures. This persistent, desperate defensive style has proven that personnel doesn't matter as much as everyone buying into the system does.

https://www.womens.afl/news/113306?_ga=2.202385169.1860250854.1667140582-224749430.1603381344

[one-eyed]

A milestone match also for Ellie McKenzie this Saturday


https://twitter.com/RichmondWomens/status/1588017762869600257

[Chuck17]

8 point game

[one-eyed]

Brisbane v Richmond Preview

Gemma Bastiani
womens.afl
4 November 2022

Head-to-head history

These two teams have played each other twice with each taking a win in the process. Given this is Richmond's first ever final, this will be the first time they will meet in a final, and the first time the Lions will host the matchup.

Last time they met

Richmond became the first team to beat Brisbane in a tense, down-to-the-wire result on the morning of the men's Grand Final. While it felt like it came down to one dramatic smother from Gabby Seymour, that moment in fact typified the Tigers' season as a whole.

In creating a difficult, chaotic game, Richmond took away any chance for Brisbane to discover the control it had been so used to in the weeks prior. The Tigers forced poorer ball use from fewer disposals, and as a result held Brisbane to just 14 points - particularly impressive given the Lions' average of 59 points in their other nine games.

Richmond defender Maddie Shevlin was immense with her 24 disposals and 658m gained, while Belle Dawes won 24 disposals of her own through the middle for Brisbane. Courtney Wakefield kicked the Tigers' two goals for the game to put them in a winning position.

Key matchup

Last time they played, Richmond's defence held up without important key defender Bec Miller, while Brisbane was without competition leading goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw. Coming into this finals match both will be out on the park, and likely lining up against one another.

Both are tall, athletic players who are adept both in the air and at ground level and have the potential to have a big say in the result. Whoever can win this matchup will dictate the eventual winner of the game.

The state of play

Mentally Brisbane will be better prepared heading into this game than it was last time around, knowing that it has all the tools to beat any side in the competition. Richmond, meanwhile, is flying into its first finals series with plenty of momentum.

The biggest challenge for the Lions will be breaking through Richmond's relentless defensive unit, which is conceding a goal from just 10.7 per cent of opposition inside 50 entries, but with Brisbane's impressive spread of goalkickers - including midfielders and wingers pushing forward to hit the scoreboard - this will be the toughest task for that Tigers backline yet. Although they have regained Miller, they are now without Shevlin who was arguably their most important player in their round four battle.

Ellie McKenzie is another Tiger in a rich vein of form, using her athleticism outside the contest to connect the midfield and forward line, so it would be a thrill to see powerful Brisbane stopper Cathy Svarc go to McKenzie throughout the game. Svarc is one of the few players in the competition who can match McKenzie for size, speed, and power.

Tip:

The Lions will be hell-bent on atoning for their only blemish this season. Brisbane by 10 points.

https://www.womens.afl/news/113308?_ga=2.26210237.1860250854.1667140582-224749430.1603381344

[one-eyed]

Tigers embracing 'David and Goliath' battle as they bid to tame Lions again

Gemma Bastiani
womens.afl
4 November 2022

FRIDAY'S qualifying final between Brisbane and Richmond is one akin to 'David and Goliath'. The Lions are perennial finalists, about to play their eighth final after qualifying for the sixth time. The Tigers, meanwhile, will be making history with their first ever appearance in the post-season.

According to star midfielder Monique Conti, her Tigers have "learned how to win" this season, leading to not only their first finals series, but doing so with the double chance thanks to a fourth-place finish.

Brisbane's active list boasts the most finals experience with an average of 3.7 games, Richmond the second-least at just 0.5 games. What the Tigers do have in their back pocket, however, is the knowledge that they are the only side to have beaten the ladder leaders this season.

"The Lions are a really good team, and they show that every single season, especially this season, finishing right on top," Conti said. 

"They're a really tough competitor and very elite team, so it was pretty good to get that (round four) win. It kind of set us up for the rest of the season."

That game saw the emergence of unassuming tagger Meg Macdonald, who spent the day running with reigning best-and-fairest winner Emily Bates. According to Conti, "whatever the coaches tell her to do, she does, she doesn't ask questions".

For the Lions, it’s all about looking towards the future.

"It's just another game. We're not going to dwell on what happened in the past, we're thinking of the future," said exciting young forward Zimmie Farquharson. 

"We can't really underestimate Richmond, they are definitely a good competition, as you saw when we played them. They've got strengths, and they've got some weaknesses as well, so we're really just aiming to play our game and really strive to show more of our strengths, instead of our weakness."

Farquharson, currently working back from a badly fractured finger, joins Lily Postlethwaite – who ruptured her ACL in round one – as the only Lions on the injury list, leaving coach Craig Starcevich spoiled for choice at team selection. 

"Even though I'm not a part of them at the moment with my recovery, I can't wait to cheer on the girls from the crowd and I'm really proud of them making it this far," said Farquharson.

Things have been a little different for Richmond coach Ryan Ferguson, who has been nursing several players through the season. But now, important players like defender Bec Miller and ruck Poppy Kelly have returned to the side in time for a second crack at Brisbane.

Now, the Tigers are "really excited" according to Conti, and looking forward to what's to come.

https://www.womens.afl/news/113335?_ga=2.26210237.1860250854.1667140582-224749430.1603381344

[one-eyed]

https://twitter.com/RichmondWomens/status/1587987345076125696

[one-eyed]

How the Richmond Tigers created chaos to earn a maiden AFLW finals appearance

By Gemma Bastiani
womens.afl
4 November 2022

With a dramatic draw against North Melbourne on Sunday, Richmond confirmed a top-four spot and a maiden finals berth.

Prior to the current season of AFLW, the Tigers had won a total of six games from 25 starts, and back-to-back games just once.

But they now haven't experienced a loss in eight weeks. They can also boast the fact that they are the only side to have beaten ladder-leaders Brisbane this season.

In order to achieve the club's most-successful season to date, the Tigers have had to make very specific player recruitment decisions, play team-first footy and throw in a little bit of chaos to the mix.

Player recruitment

Richmond's list has undergone significant change since its entry into the competition in 2020.

Just 11 players who appeared for the Tigers in their first season remain on the list now.

Recent off-seasons have seen them add talent through the middle — namely through Ellie McKenzie and Sarah Hosking — and, with several other recruits, they've added further depth in more roles.

No off-season has been more significant for Richmond than the most recent, however, as it has brought in key role players crucial to the current run of success.

Grace Egan has joined a now-damaging midfield group and, in her return to the Tigers — for whom she played VFLW footy in 2019 — has helped make star Monique Conti an even-more-damaging player.

Libby Graham was headhunted from Greater Western Sydney as a key defensive replacement for the currently inactive Harriet Corder, who is watching from the sidelines while rehabbing an ACL rupture.

And Eilish Sheerin — recruited out of a local Sydney league — has made her mark as the best intercepting player in the competition after just 10 games.

Richmond's new faces

Player                        Recruited via

Grace Egan                Trade (from Carlton)
Libby Graham            Trade (from GWS)
Stephanie Williams     Trade (from Geelong)
Katelyn Cox               Draft
Eilish Sheerin             Draft
Jemima Woods           Delisted Free Agent (from Western Bulldogs)
Charley Ryan             Draft
Amelia Peck               Inactive Replacement
Saraid Taylor             Cross Code Rookie

Team-first footy

Over seasons five and six, Brisbane set the standard for group buy-in, leading the competition for one-percenters and team-first acts.

Richmond has taken a leaf out of the Lions' book and increased its focus on those one-percenters: spoils, smothers, knock-ons, and shepherds.

Averaging 29.7 one-percenters per game, the Tigers sit third in the competition this season.

New recruit Graham is leading the way in that respect down back, with 51 one-percenters for the season — sitting second overall in the competition as a whole — with draftee Sheerin next in line.

Richmond's team first acts

Player                One Percenters in Season 7

Libby Graham                 51
Eilish Sheerin                  32
Gabby Seymour              25
Courtney Wakefield         21
Laura McClelland            17
Maddie Shevlin               17
Bec Miller                       13
Monique Conti                12
Grace Egan                    12
Katelyn Cox                   10
Beth Lynch                    10

Thanks to those one-percenters, Richmond has added an element of chaos to its game, which makes it unpredictable and particularly difficult to get control against.

A desperate defence

Teams are finding it especially difficult to score against the Tigers, with the side conceding an average of just 26.2 inside-50s and 21.7 points against.

The relentless attitude of the back line, that goes along with their team-first attitude, has seen Richmond concede a goal from just 10.7 per cent of inside-50s conceded, the lowest in the competition's history.

Through pressure and desperation, Richmond's defensive line has limited the number of shots on goal that teams have been able to generate, even when close to goal, and when teams are able to take a shot, their accuracy is impacted by said pressure.

Seven of Richmond's 10 opponents throughout the home-and-away season produced a lower goal accuracy against the Tigers than they did for the rest of the season. It is a similar case for opponents' scoring efficiency and shots on goal generated.

Richmond's pressure defence

Team                    Average          Scoring       Average          Shots           Average           Goal
                            Scoring         Efficiency       Shots            on Goal          Goal            Accuracy
                           Efficiency       v Richmond   on Goal        v Richmond    Accuracy      v Richmond
                         v other sides         (%)       v other sides                      v other sides       (%)
                              (%)

Geelong                  50.2                22.6          114.0        7.0              40.2               28.6
Adelaide                 42.2                75.0           15.2              15.0              38.0              33.3
Hawthorn                39.0                 7.1             9.7                2.0              39.1              50.0
Essendon                46.5               35.7           12.4               10.0              40.2              30.0
Brisbane                 52.2               37.5           19.5               12.0              43.8                8.3
Gold Coast              40.3               25.0           11.6                 5.0              38.5              60.0
West Coast             35.7                60.0            8.3               12.0              40.0               25.0
Carlton                   28.9                39.3            7.8               11.0              44.3               45.0
GWS Giants            41.9                30.0          11.2                 6.0              34.7               33.3
North Melbourne     41.2                37.1          13.8               13.0              40.3                23.1

It is not only in the defensive 50 that the Tigers are utilising this desperate, pressured game style.

Making use of it higher up the field is forcing opponents into poor forward entries, helping the back line's efforts, but also taking away any semblance of control that opponents work to find around the field.

On average, teams are taking fewer marks against Richmond and hitting fewer targets in the process, inviting further pressure, and allowing those small acts — the smothers, spoils, shepherds and knock-ons — to play a significant role in games.

In particular, Brisbane was held to just 36 marks against the Tigers, well below its average of 46.8 marks per game in each of its other nine games for the season, and the biggest discrepancy was GWS, who found just 26 marks against Richmond, -16.4 compared to its other match-ups for the season.

In partnership with this, six sides registered a lower disposal efficiency against Richmond than they did in their other games.

Richmond forcing poor use

Team           Disposal Efficiency v other sides (%)        Disposal Efficiency v Richmond

Geelong                               65.7                                               67.1
Adelaide                               62.9                                               59.0
Hawthorn                             53.5                                               56.0
Essendon                             60.5                                               54.9
Brisbane                              62.2                                               56.0
Gold Coast                           58.3                                               61.9
West Coast                           59.0                                              57.1
Carlton                                 61.1                                              65.4
Greater Western Sydney        63.3                                               55.0
North Melbourne                   64.1                                               58.9

Through the use of pressure and one-percenters, Richmond has added an element of chaos to its games and, with that, unpredictability has taken away much of the clean, considered ball use opponents aim to bring.

All this has seen the Tigers make their first-ever finals series and will no doubt be what makes their finals an interesting watch.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-04/how-richmond-tigers-created-chaos-to-earn-finals-spot-aflw/101610800

[one-eyed]

AFLW statement: Drawn match (playing additional time)

The AFL advises the process for playing of additional time if scores are even following the 2022 NAB AFLW Finals Series Season 7.

The following procedure shall apply in the event of a draw at the end of ordinary time:

* Six-minute and 30 second break

* Additional Time period of two x three-minute halves (plus time on) will be played as required, until a result is determined.

1. Goal umpires confirm scores are identical;

2. There is a six minute and 30 second break;

3. Teams change ends;

4. Three minutes of Additional Time shall be played, plus time-on;

5. At the end of the first Additional Time period, the siren will sound and teams will immediately change ends without a break;

6. The ball will be thrown up in the centre and a further three minutes of play (plus time-on) will commence;

7. At the conclusion of this period, the siren will sound and the team with the highest score is declared the winner;

8. If scores are still tied, steps three - eight are repeated until a result is determined.

Note: There will be no breaks in play for Coaches or Club Football Officials to access the Playing Area.

Any Starting Position (5-6-5) warnings are reset for each period of Additional Time.

https://www.womens.afl/news/113340?_ga=2.109505669.1860250854.1667140582-224749430.1603381344

[one-eyed]

In: Maddy Shevlin

Out: Meagan Kiely

------------------------------------------------------------

Richmond AFLW team

B:    Laura McClelland            Libby Graham               Bec Miller

HB:                   Eilish Sheerin                  Katelyn Cox

C:       Tessa Lavey                Ellie McKenzie              Maddie Shevlin

HF:                   Katie Brennan                 Jess Hosking

F:    Courtney Wakefield           Stella Reid                Maddy Brancatisano

R:    Gabby Seymour           Monique Conti               Grace Egan

Int:   Bethany Lynch      Poppy Kelly       Meg Macdonald        Emelia Yassir       Kate Dempsey

 

Emg:   Kodi Jacques     Meagan Kiely       Sarah D'Arcy


Milestones: Monique Conti (50 games), Ellie McKenzie (25 games)

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1244398/tigers-name-qualifying-final-side/

[Tiger Khosh]

Sarah hosking missing a second week with illness? Must be quite bad whatever it is - hopefully back at it next week.

[mightytiges]

Good to have Shevlin back.

Kiely stiff to miss out. Yes she was quiet last week but she's played most of our games this year across HF. With Sarah Hosking missing, I'd guess Ferguson wants Brancatisano as an extra mid.

Sarah hosking missing a second week with illness? Must be quite bad whatever it is - hopefully back at it next week.

I wonder if playing interstate had anything to do with it? Not wanting her to mix with the others on the plane for 3 hours?

[mightytiges]

AFLW statement: Drawn match (playing additional time)

The AFL advises the process for playing of additional time if scores are even following the 2022 NAB AFLW Finals Series Season 7.

...

https://www.womens.afl/news/113340?_ga=2.109505669.1860250854.1667140582-224749430.1603381344

Richmond involved in a draw - AFL better release a statement about drawn games.

[one-eyed]

‘It’s always really good to match up on the best’: Monique Conti on the battle against the Lions

Madeline Irwin
theinnersanctum.com.au
05/11/2022

When the Richmond Tigers face the Brisbane Lions on Saturday afternoon, eyes will be locked on the midfielder battle with stars across both sides. Headlining the game will be Brisbane midfielder and reigning league best and fairest Emily Bates and Richmond’s own elite ball-winner Monique Conti.

With both Conti and Bates eager to get their sides the win which will see them earn a place in the preliminary finals, the discussion around the match has been on their match-up. With talk starting between the two leading up to the game, it will be interesting to see whether they will sacrifice their ball-winning ability to tag and potentially curtail the opposing star’s influence.

Attending the AFLW finals launch Monique Conti sheds light on what being tagged means and the fact that it is the ultimate compliment for a midfielder in the game.

“It’s a bit of a compliment,” Conti said.

“The Lions are full of really good players and obviously Batesy is having an amazing season, she also had a amazing season last year but then also they have some really good talent so I will take it as a compliment but it will be a really good midfield battle.”

“I love any sort of battle that comes across, it’s always really good to match up on the best as well it really improves your game but I’m just excited for anything really and looking forward to it.”

Being the only team to defeat the Lions all season, the Richmond Tigers are full of confidence but weary of the minor premiers and the strength they possess across the team.

“The Lions are a really good team and they showed that the whole season especially this season finishing right on top, they are a really good competitor and a really elite team,” she said.

“It was pretty good to get that win, it set us up for the rest of the season but it will be a really tough game this weekend and I’m looking forward to it.”

Drafted to the Western Bulldogs in 2017, Conti was apart of the team that won the premiership in 2018. Playing in game 50 this weekend, she speaks about how the milestone is special but her eye is on a bigger goal overall being another premiership, this time with the Tigers.

“I didn’t really know I was reaching my 50th this season but to do it in a final is pretty awesome as well,” Conti said.

“Mum and dad are gonna fly up and support me which is really special but it’s already been six seasons and I kind of feel a bit old now but it’s exciting and I’m looking forward to it.”

Her role as a premiership player with finals experience coming into Richmond’s first ever finals campaign will be vital. Alongside her captain Katie Brennan as well as the other leaders at the club, Conti will look to usher the side through the finals series as best as she can.

“It’s been a long time but Katie (Brennan) and myself and the rest of our leaders are not going to change anything. We are just gonna keep doing what we are doing, we don’t want to change anything that we have been doing,” she explained.

“[We need to] sort of lead by example and we will stick to that and anyone can lean on us if they need to but we are pretty set.”

https://www.theinnersanctum.com.au/its-always-really-good-to-match-up-on-the-best-monique-conti-on-the-battle-against-the-lions/

[one-eyed]

AFLW Season 7 Finals preview: Brisbane vs Richmond (Qualifying Final 1)

Alyce Collett
central.rookieme.com
November 5, 2022

BRISBANE and Richmond go head-to-head this afternoon for the second available spot in the AFL Women’s Season 7 preliminary finals. We take a look at the clash and preview what might happen in the contest, with the Lions finishing minor premiers, but the Tigers being the other side to defeat the Lions this year.

FORM

Brisbane has been one of the in-form teams of the competition so far this season. The Lions have only lost the one game for the year, and have for the most part looked very hard to beat.

Richmond on the other hand is one of the most improved sides of Season 7. After a frustrating start to the year, the Tigers went on a run of seven straight wins before drawing with North last weekend.

HISTORY

The historic ledger between the two sides is dead even heading into this afternoon’s clash, with both sides having beaten the other once in the past. However crucially for Richmond, the Tigers are the only side to have beaten Brisbane all year but this is the first time the Lions have hosted the pair.

INJURY LIST

Thankfully for both clubs, their injury lists are pretty short at the moment. For Brisbane, its only injury concern at the moment is Zimmorlei Farquharson, who is still a few weeks away from returning from a finger injury.

Meanwhile for Richmond, Maddie Shevlin came off the injury list this week and is back in the team, while Sarah Hosking and Jemima Woods should not be too far away from a return.

TEAMS

Brisbane

B: S.Campbell 20 P.Monahan 11 
HB: B.Koenen 3 N.Grider 10 J.Ellenger 5
C: O.O’Dwyer 9 E.Bates 1 S.Conway 12
HF: C.Hodder 21 D.Davidson 14 I.Dawes 17
F: J.Wardlaw 30 G.Bodey 15
Foll: T.Hickie 2 C.Svarc 25 A.Anderson 18
I/C: K.Lutkins 13 D.Heslop 23 T.Smith 31 M.Pauga 27 R.Svarc 29 

Emerg: L.Pullar 24 L.Yoshida-Martin 19 S.Webb 4

Richmond

B: R.Miller 15 L.Graham 18 
HB: E.Sheerin 31 K.Cox 17 L.McClelland 16
C: T.Lavey 37 E.McKenzie 22 M.Shevlin 35
HF: K.Brennan 3 M.Brancatisano 5 J.Hosking 11
F: C.Wakefield 8 S.Reid 25
Foll: G.Seymour 28 M.Conti 4 G.Egan 2
I/C: B.Lynch 20 P.Kelly 14 M.Macdonald 38 K.Dempsey 19 E.Yassir 27 

Emerg: S.D’Arcy 12 M.Kiely 13 K.Jacques 10

KEY PLAYERS

Just like it was in Round 5, the midfield battle is going to be an entertaining one to watch. On one side of the equation you have Orla O’Dwyer, Emily Bates and Ally Anderson, facing off against Monique Conti, Grace Egan and Ellie McKenzie.

In terms of forwards, it really is going to be the battle of the talls, with Katie Brennan and Courtney Wakefield up one end, and Jesse Wardlaw and Dakota Davidson up the other.

PREDICTION

It will be a fascinating clash. Their Round 5 match had many momentum swings and it was not clear who was going to win for much of the day. However, there are a number of factors different this time around that should see a Brisbane win.

Brisbane is at home this time, and the Lions are a hard team to beat at home, and the travel is no doubt going to take a toll on the Tigers. Brisbane also has plenty of experience in finals, while Richmond is in its first finals series. It is a totally new standard in finals, so you cannot underestimate the advantage finals experience will have.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2022/11/05/aflw-season-7-finals-preview-brisbane-vs-richmond-qualifying-final-1/