AFLW R2 - Richmond vs Western Bulldogs Sunday August 24, 12:35pm Ikon Park

[Bojangles17]

Knoll and grieves should be in the side , not hard to find two omissions . So disappointing to see us hurtle backwards . Who’s the likely first draft pic this year , hopefully another centra type

 

[TigermanM2]

Knoll and grieves should be in the side , not hard to find two omissions . So disappointing to see us hurtle backwards . Who’s the likely first draft pic this year , hopefully another centra type

To be fair Knoll looked a fair bit off it in that practice match against the Hawks so I can understand why she isn't there. It's also a positional problem as our need is in the middle. I'd rather Grieves and Brazzale come in. We are going to get smoked in the middle this week coming up against Nanscawen, Prespakis and Gaylor if we play like we did against the Dogs.

In terms of prospects, there are others far better qualified than me to comment but I did notice that according to some 3 of the top 4 were Suns Academy players. Chloe Brown from Oakleigh Chargers looks to be the standout in terms of the Vic crop.

Chloe Bown​

Oakleigh Chargers| Midfielder
height:173cm
D.O.B:20-12-2007

DUAL-SIDED DANGER
An incredibly gifted footballer and a standout from the Victorian crop given both her current output and upside, Bown has been an eye-catcher over the past two and a half seasons. She earned a place with Vic Metro as a bottom-ager and has been a member of the title-winning Chargers’ outfit. Over her time at the Chargers, she has progressed as a forward into a tall midfielder.
Strengths:
Bown is tall at 173cm and unlike many other peers, can use both sides of her body. It is easy to think the right-footer is actually left-footed considering the natural look when she has to swing onto her opposite side. Add in her penetrating kick, footy IQ, incredible strength overhead and great decision making, and Bown is a really well-rounded prospect.
Question marks?
While her kicks are penetrating, Bown is one who can further refine her kicking to be more precise. She is great for distance and she has the smarts to put them into the right areas, but further refinement to really nail those passes over different distances will further enhance her game.
Last month: #3
Bown is a ball magnet and has been racking it up on the national stage, averaging 25 touches and six clearances per game across Vic Metro’s first three matches. Her carnival will end this weekend against Vic Country, but is clearly in the frame (along with most of these top prospects) for All-Australian honours.

 

[TigermanM2]

Mental strength a worry for Tigers, Dogs enjoy 'good nourishment'​

Ryan Ferguson

Ryan Ferguson

Age

44

Ht

195cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.6

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

4.2

3star

M

3.2

3star

T

1.0

3star

No current season stats available

D

4.8

1star

K

2.2

1star

HB

2.6

3star

M

1.4

2star

T

0.8

3star

lamented Richmond's inability to match the Western Bulldogs' consistency in Sunday's loss
By Sarah Black
Aug 24, 2025, 3:32 pm

RICHMOND coach Ryan Ferguson

Ryan Ferguson

Age

44

Ht

195cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.6

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

4.2

3star

M

3.2

3star

T

1.0

3star

No current season stats available

D

4.8

1star

K

2.2

1star

HB

2.6

3star

M

1.4

2star

T

0.8

3star

has said his side needs to be mentally stronger, as the Tigers wobbled to a 0-2 start after falling to a young Western Bulldogs side by 21 points on Sunday.

The Tigers – who made an elimination final last year – were out-hunted around the ball, and most damningly, lost the tackle count by 20 despite being second to the footy for most of the match.

"It was tough only because it just didn't feel like we ever got anything going – the plans we went in with for the game, we either didn't execute consistently or didn't have opportunities to execute because of our fundamentals," Ferguson said.
"Way too many free kicks (conceded), we dropped marks, we fumbled and then we didn't have the chance to use the space. It just felt like we never really got anything going.

"That contested ball, post-clearance – in the end, I feel like you can go to the stories or the whys, versus stay on task, stay the course. Ultimately, they were more consistent over four quarters, their mental game as well as their footy game. That's what we've get to work with, being mentally strong, and hold consistent for four quarters and every moment – I think that's a sign you're not on task.

"We looked like a team that was low on confidence, that's what it looked like. But the fact is, we've got what we need, we've got the weapons that we need, we've got the game that we need and we just need to take accountability for ourselves and for our team. We're in this together, and we can turn it around really quickly, but we just need to make sure we commit to that.
The forward line failed to take a mark inside 50 after losing the same count 4-12 in last week's loss to Sydney.
"The reality is we didn't have much supply. It was played between the arcs a fair bit, but I think we were over minus-10 inside 50s," he said.

Watch Richmond’s press conference after round two’s match against Western Bulldogs
"We only had maybe 21 inside 50s, so we didn't get much supply. When we did, it was either poorly executed, or the wrong decision or we weren't in the right spot."
Paige Scott will be monitored after a heavy collision between their leg/shin and that of Lauren Ahrens, with the Tiger spending some time off the field for treatment. They returned to play out the game.

Western Bulldogs coach Tam Hyett was thrilled with the tenacity of her young side, and the work of usual defender Elisabeth Georgostathis as a tagger on Monique Conti.

"We thought we were doing a lot right in the first half, and we felt we were able to finish off our work in the second half. Really good nourishment for the group, because they've put in a mountain of work in the off-season, and we know we've got a fair bit of work to go, but really good nourishment for them," Hyett said.

"I'm not going to lie, it was (a plan to have Georgostathis tag Conti). We call her the 'junkyard dog'. She's pretty ruthless at the contest, and we know how damaging Mon, as a premier midfielder, can be around stoppages.
"That was in our planning during the week, and I thought she did a great job. Mon still had 20-odd touches, but they were all under pressure, didn't have too many clean ones, so 'Lizzo' did a great job."

 

[AstuteTiger]

So these 3 teams (Swans, Bombers, Hawks), who only joined the league 3 years ago, occupy 3rd, 4th and 5th places on the ladder. Played 2, won 2.

Our women's team looks a mess. Game style is putrid. Not enough run and carry. Not enough of a forward handball game. And most of all, our skills are below par. Going to be a long season.

 

[TigermanM2]

So these 3 teams (Swans, Bombers, Hawks), who only joined the league 3 years ago, occupy 3rd, 4th and 5th places on the ladder. Played 2, won 2.

Our women's team looks a mess. Game style is putrid. Not enough run and carry. Not enough of a forward handball game. And most of all, our skills are below par. Going to be a long season.

Hard to argue based on the first two rounds. I just hope we can turn it around.

 

[tugga]

I just can't get enthused with a coach who hasn't won a final in six years at the helm.
It beggars belief.

 

[TigermanM2]

I just can't get enthused with a coach who hasn't won a final in six years at the helm.
It beggars belief.

Dimma didn't win one until his 8th season.

 

[TigermanM2]

With a few seasons under her belt its also time for Emelia Yassir to play a bit smarter and stop getting caught holding the ball. Tries to do a bit too much sometimes when she should just quickly take that first option.

Players who seem to have lots of time have an awareness of where the tackles are going to come from.

 

[toenail63]

In terms of prospects, there are others far better qualified than me to comment but I did notice that according to some 3 of the top 4 were Suns Academy players. Chloe Brown from Oakleigh Chargers looks to be the standout in terms of the Vic crop.

Some that the recruiters have been tracking since under agers, Chloe Bown was elite as a bottom ager, probably unlucky not to be dual Australian, was very good for Vic Metro in 24, but Vic Metro quality ran deep last year so others were front of stage.

Two of the best are the Suns academy duo Dekota Baron and Georja Davies (Georja a dual all Australian, Dekota injured this year), add in Nigel Lappin's daughter Sunny, if she chooses Suns or can go Father/Daughter to Carlton/St Kilda. Suns will be looking to trade down draft picks like they did in last years draft to help get Academy girls in like they did with Havana Harris.

WA very strong group led by Olivia Wolmarans, a dual All Australian, Mia Russo, Renee Morgan and Alicia Blizard, land in this draft also and Evie Cowcher was elite last year, but injured this year. Mischa Barwin and Priya Bowering from TAS backed up with All Australians this year, and then a good number have emerged this year as likely early picks, evenly spread in Victoria, Queensland, WA and then a couple from NSW, and SA, all good AFLW type prospects.

2025 is a strong enough draft, while not running deep like last years draft, which was the one to load up on players, it does have quality first rounders and early seconds that will get you a very good player of similar talent to last year.

 

[toenail63]

Mental strength a worry for Tigers, Dogs enjoy 'good nourishment'​

RICHMOND coach Ryan Ferguson has said his side needs to be mentally stronger, as the Tigers wobbled to a 0-2 start after falling to a young Western Bulldogs side by 21 points on Sunday.

Strange comment from Ferguson. Mental strength is strongest when players are playing for each other as a group. This is on the coach and this is dressing room stuff, surprised that he would call this out at a presser.

It's not a measured approach, teaching mode or process mode, this is born on the training paddock and instilled pre game to inspire. You don't have to yell at players, but you have to generate that passion, you've got to get them totally committed to playing for each other when they're out there in battle. The Coach is the only person who can do this and totally on him/her. Mental strength is not planning and tweaking and while I do agree with most of his comments re sticking to game plans, being on task and doing the fundamentals etc, which is on the players, this one is not. It's on him, so I see his comment as calling himself out.

 

[toenail63]

So these 3 teams (Swans, Bombers, Hawks), who only joined the league 3 years ago, occupy 3rd, 4th and 5th places on the ladder. Played 2, won 2.

I mentioned it once before tongue firmly in cheek as these as the AFLW's Nepo babies, but look at the players they took as 17yrs who were taken off the draft board, not common names bandied about because they didn't go as part of the actual draft night picks but pre signings i.e Hayley McLaughlin, Jess Vukic and Laura Stone all three holding down positions and already exciting players, and then they took, Fleming, Mackenzie Eardly on top of that. Port Adelaide had even stronger group. The path we had/have to take is a different one, but could be done just as well, hopefully we can turn it around and get back to winning, it would be with some satisfaction beating these three teams int he future starting with the Bombers this week.

 

[TigermanM2]

Strange comment from Ferguson. Mental strength is strongest when players are playing for each other as a group. This is on the coach and this is dressing room stuff, surprised that he would call this out at a presser.

It's not a measured approach, teaching mode or process mode, this is born on the training paddock and instilled pre game to inspire. You don't have to yell at players, but you have to generate that passion, you've got to get them totally committed to playing for each other when they're out there in battle. The Coach is the only person who can do this and totally on him/her. Mental strength is not planning and tweaking and while I do agree with most of his comments re sticking to game plans, being on task and doing the fundamentals etc, which is on the players, this one is not. It's on him, so I see his comment as calling himself out.

While I am 100% sure this is not the way he intended the comment to be interpreted, I would be staggered if an opposition head coach or line coach didn't come out with "their coach said they are mentally fragile" line and they wouldn't be wrong.

I think Ferg has been extremely clumsy with his words.

 

[toenail63]

While I am 100% sure this is not the way he intended the comment to be interpreted, I would be staggered if an opposition head coach or line coach didn't come out with "their coach said they are mentally fragile" line and they wouldn't be wrong.

I think Ferg has been extremely clumsy with his words.

hopefully they do then at least he can use this as motivation. After he apologises to the players for raising it in the first place.

 

[sanaya]

didn't catch the game, not gonna bother watching the replay, might've if grieves was playing tho



might just boycott til her inclusion

 

[TigermanM2]

hopefully they do then at least he can use this as motivation. After he apologises to the players for raising it in the first place.

Say what you like about his coaching but one thing Ferg has been in the past is pretty solid behind his team when it comes to his pressers.

Bit all over the shop this year and you can only assume pressure is mounting.

 

[TigermanM2]

Wow this will help!



ESSENDON captain Bonnie Toogood has been banned for two matches for a dumping tackle on West Coast's Zoe Wakfer.

Toogood tackled Wakfer in the final term of Sunday's clash, pinning both of the Eagle's arms to bring her to the ground. Wakfer's head also appeared to hit the ground.

The umpire pinged Wakfer for holding the ball and awarded Toogood the free kick.

The match review officer classified the offence as rough and careless conduct that was high impact and high contact.

 

[balmainforever]

Strange comment from Ferguson. Mental strength is strongest when players are playing for each other as a group. This is on the coach and this is dressing room stuff, surprised that he would call this out at a presser.

It's not a measured approach, teaching mode or process mode, this is born on the training paddock and instilled pre game to inspire. You don't have to yell at players, but you have to generate that passion, you've got to get them totally committed to playing for each other when they're out there in battle. The Coach is the only person who can do this and totally on him/her. Mental strength is not planning and tweaking and while I do agree with most of his comments re sticking to game plans, being on task and doing the fundamentals etc, which is on the players, this one is not. It's on him, so I see his comment as calling himself out.

The group lost itself when Sheerin did what she did.

 

[Phar Ace]

While I am 100% sure this is not the way he intended the comment to be interpreted, I would be staggered if an opposition head coach or line coach didn't come out with "their coach said they are mentally fragile" line and they wouldn't be wrong.

I think Ferg has been extremely clumsy with his words.

He is clumsy - I have thought that even back when he was a development coach for the boys' side, and he has not improved much. Really had to do a double take when I read that latest headline, so I went to the interview.

It was well into the interview, about the 2min mark of 4.48, a lot had been covered and he was covering of on contest numbers and our it meant low inside 50's and complimented the Doggies on their mental and physical work, ".......and that's what we have work at, being mentally stronger and being consistent for 4 qtrs ........... etc etc". You could see him struggling as he got into that part of the interview. He'd lost his way a bit.

Really was a waste of a headline, so context is everything. That said, he'd better get things going better, and quickly.

 

[Bojangles17]

So these 3 teams (Swans, Bombers, Hawks), who only joined the league 3 years ago, occupy 3rd, 4th and 5th places on the ladder. Played 2, won 2.

Our women's team looks a mess. Game style is putrid. Not enough run and carry. Not enough of a forward handball game. And most of all, our skills are below par. Going to be a long season.

Been said before but the concessions granted to ess and hawks were beyond ridiculous compared to what we got , that said we prob would have bungled the pics in any case , our recruiting and list mgmt decisions have been abysmal
My worry is that we see the likes of kb and hosko as part of the longer term future , reality is this should def be last year . Greg’s and shevs also look to be on the way out , we re in a bit of strife with the w team unfortunately

 

[Bojangles17]

The group lost itself when Sheerin did what she did.

Not sure from an emotional sense but structure wise she has left a gaping hole in the line up particularly her contested ball wins , just irreplaceable and already we re seeing how far it’s set us back

 

[Cdog71]

Been away and haven’t watched the game.
Did notice we 2.2 in the first half and 1.1 in the second half.
Against Swans we kicked 2.3 and then 3.5 (2.2 in the last).
I’m going to give Ferg the benefit of the doubt and say he’s waiting for McKinnon to be difficult to deal with and it releases others, maybe that’s why he’s playing Miller down there.
But once again we just aren’t kicking enough score
From the stats
4 marks inside 50 this year so far.
Nobody is moving the ball from the back half, nobody is moving it from outside of stoppage.
Dempsey not playing hurts but we’ve brought in running players.
We’ve brought in a talented young inside mid.
Why aren’t we playing them?
If we lose the next two games it’s going to be pretty disappointing and I hope there’s big changes.

 

[Tortured Tiger]

Not sure from an emotional sense but structure wise she has left a gaping hole in the line up particularly her contested ball wins , just irreplaceable and already we re seeing how far it’s set us back

Agreed. Sheerin was the last player a side already lacking in class could lose. Her line breaking kicks and metres gained were invaluable to this team. We have nobody else like her and the attack is suffering as we look boring and predictable. Perhaps a poor year is needed so a full review can be undertaken and we can access some high end draft talent. How many of our current team would make the Kangaroos side ? I would think a maximum of 6. That shows us how far off we really are.

 

[TigermanM2]

Been away and haven’t watched the game.
Did notice we 2.2 in the first half and 1.1 in the second half.
Against Swans we kicked 2.3 and then 3.5 (2.2 in the last).
I’m going to give Ferg the benefit of the doubt and say he’s waiting for McKinnon to be difficult to deal with and it releases others, maybe that’s why he’s playing Miller down there.
But once again we just aren’t kicking enough score
From the stats
4 marks inside 50 this year so far.
Nobody is moving the ball from the back half, nobody is moving it from outside of stoppage.
Dempsey not playing hurts but we’ve brought in running players.
We’ve brought in a talented young inside mid.
Why aren’t we playing them?
If we lose the next two games it’s going to be pretty disappointing and I hope there’s big changes.

Montana McKinnon is an interesting one. Let me say firstly, I think she is a fine player but I'm not sure how much better she can make us. Montana has played almost every game with Adelaide as a ruck. This is where she does her best work.

But, we have Poppy there who is doing a fine job. I'm not a fan of trying to make rucks into key forwards. It has failed time and time again.

I think, really, Montana was recruited at a time when our ruck options weren't looking great. Poppy had come over from St Kilda but didn't have a great season and then improved out of sight in 2024.

I've also said I think our problem is in the middle of the ground (not ruck). With only 21 forward 50 entries it becomes immaterial who plays forward anyway. Let's also not forget "inside 50" is a pretty useless stat in women's footy as it implies a possible scoring opportunity when a large percentage of players cant kick it 50. A better stat would be "inside 35"

 

[toenail63]

I've also said I think our problem is in the middle of the ground (not ruck). With only 21 forward 50 entries it becomes immaterial who plays forward anyway. Let's also not forget "inside 50" is a pretty useless stat in women's footy as it implies a possible scoring opportunity when a large percentage of players cant kick it 50. A better stat would be "inside 35"

Of all the AFLW clubs we are one club that is blessed in having players that can kick goals from 35m, in Greiser's case 50m, Shevlin, McKenzie, Mon have good depth in their kicking for goal. And we are a team more likely to set up from oppo kick outs to take marks and get opportunities to repeat set up goals that way. Greiser, Poppy Kelly, and also Miller and Gabby following their forwards, so set up to take intercept marks 1+ kick from goal is a strength. Montana McKinnon playing will add to that.

Agree I50's stats don't tell a story, Rd1 we had 47, second only to Crows's 50, both teams lost by some margin, Rd 2 we had 2nd lowest I50's with only 21, however one very telling statistic is Marks. We had 25 marks in Rd1 the worst in the comp, and 28 marks in Rd2 also the worst in the comp. We are averaging 6.6 marks per qtr or 20 mins of footy, a terrible stat, some teams in one scoring chain will have 6 marks. It's clear as day this affects one avenue to goal which is through a marking chain, so this robs the team of an important structure, one that helps to give those players opportunity to take I50 marks. All of them can mark the ball, that's not the problem, so one of our problems is transitioning efficiently. Our mids and wingers are not served well in being able to offload and then sprint forward to be marking targets, without this efficiency.