News External review for Richmond's AFLW program.

[Phar Ace]

good old RFC Website its f....g useless .
the enigma of Ferguson resigning when failing dismally on field .

one more year at most?
get all the head of football position dealt with first.


time for a woman to coach?

time for an VFLW team?

I'm with Kate McCarthy, the re-signing of Ferg is back to front, and IF he was re-signed coming into the year (which is more understandable) why not announce it accordingly, especially off the back of a finals appearance.

It sounds like a Sheahan stuff-up to me. Do the right thing Brad Lloyd!

 

[toenail63]

Yeah

Yeah maybe you’re right.

I’m just still scarred from Robert Walls.

Hopefully those bygone days are long gone. I did put the heat on Shane Dunne knowing that the board signed off on Lloyds appointment, and although we view the board as a juxtaposition to the real spiritual footy leaders, like Balmey and Dimma, our boards strengths are in being business savvy, having extensive networks, and being by nature risk adverse so this gives me some comfort in choosing Brad Lloyd who's a life long footy person who's worked across many roles in the AFL and AFLW.

 

[toenail63]

They will make a tik tok video to confirm

 

[TigermanM2]

Yassir is a given she was checked out 12 months ago

The one to watch is Ellie McKenzie hawks offered big last year id be shocked if they dont go again

It's true the family are are pretty fierce Hawk supporters but in Ellie's own words her dad Rob is pretty invested in RFC and with brother Tom in our VFL program they are enjoying having everyone at the one club.

Ellie is also contracted for 2026.

Very unlikely to move but hey, I'd be shocked if most clubs don't try an pry her out. She's a jet. I hope our club is doing the same with other star players in the comp.

 

[Stigmata]

Good question, the only thing I would say is that he was their boss for that Carlton AFLW review and they now are currently 5th on the ladder.

Very good draft and father daughter selections helped.

I will say my daughter has been in the Carlton (Adam Saad) and Essendon NGA program and Carlton is miles in front.

 

[Achilles Heel]

It's true the family are are pretty fierce Hawk supporters but in Ellie's own words her dad Rob is pretty invested in RFC and with brother Tom in our VFL program they are enjoying having everyone at the one club.

Ellie is also contracted for 2026.

Very unlikely to move but hey, I'd be shocked if most clubs don't try a pry her out. She's a jet. I hope our club is doing the same with other star players in the comp.

Her and Mon are too good to be playing in a team with shit players around them

 

[Stigmata]

With the draft coming up in 6 weeks time the work is already done for this draft period with trade period just before that so what gets done in list management would be in the wind now already.

Surely they would have already had to change tack towards getting skilful players in based on what they have seen this year, players who would want an upswing in their money currently so there must be some trades we could do for players not delivering on the money they're getting.

One trade you could make would be getting a pick and a player from Essendon where they need mids/forwards, we could send Yassir and Egan to Bombers and get in their 2nd rounder and Chloe Adams, who is a 19yo mid drafted last year and was a bargain for them at pick 38 who I really liked but like Grieves will take a year or two to build their strength. If we are to get real about bringing players in who are good users of the footy with a 2-3 year plan to build a team skilful enough to compete.

Don’t be surprised if Bonnie Toogood is available. Something has clearly changed at Essendon and a lot of players are on the outside.

 

[TigermanM2]

Don’t be surprised if Bonnie Toogood is available. Something has clearly changed at Essendon and a lot of players are on the outside.

Wow. Surely not.

 

[toenail63]

Don’t be surprised if Bonnie Toogood is available. Something has clearly changed at Essendon and a lot of players are on the outside.

Would be an unreal get and reflect well on the club all things considering if we could get Bonnie's signature.

 

[Truetiger]

Will be no change this is purely a box ticking exercise

Players will say they are happy coaches will say they are on right track

That’s false. Richmond are professional, unlike some.

 

[The Vaucluse]

I wish Brad Lloyd all the best. I’m just frustrated that we didn’t select someone who had better credentials inside AFLW. Plus, Carlton is a basket case and he was a critical figure within their football department.

Maybe the club will say he was the best credentialed candidate to conduct the review. I’m just concerned that we couldn’t attract someone better to do this forensic assessment of the program.

Ultimately, I want the club to be successful in all facets of the competition and I’m hoping that the woman we select to be involved in this project is highly respected and well credentialed.

Our AFLW program should be in much better shape. I look at our list and watch other teams, and I’m disappointed that we currently find ourselves in this position.

 

[TigermanM2]

I wish Brad Lloyd all the best. I’m just frustrated that we didn’t select someone who had better credentials inside AFLW. Plus, Carlton is a basket case and he was a critical figure within their football department.

Maybe the club will say he was the best credentialed candidate to conduct the review. I’m just concerned that we couldn’t attract someone better to do this forensic assessment of the program.

Ultimately, I want the club to be successful in all facets of the competition and I’m hoping that the woman we select to be involved in this project is highly respected and well credentialed.

Our AFLW program should be in much better shape. I look at our list and watch other teams, and I’m disappointed that we currently find ourselves in this position.

Brad will be absolutely fine. Will spend the first few weeks trawling through these BigFooty threads. A mountain of good stuff right here.

 

[wegetpumped]

Also, given the club statement and reading between the lines a bit, no longer convinced Ferg is safe.

Just another best stunt like politicians use. If they can't see what has been happening within what's the point of them being there? The people running the women's team should all be replaced, rather than worrying about the squad. On the other side of the ledger, women's footy is going backwards as not many people go, and I predict it to get even worse.

 

[Achilles Heel]

Just another best stunt like politicians use. If they can't see what has been happening within what's the point of them being there? The people running the women's team should all be replaced, rather than worrying about the squad. On the other side of the ledger, women's footy is going backwards as not many people go, and I predict it to get even worse.

I saw some crowd comparisons between the start and now and they are about 80% down on averages

 

[toenail63]

Richmond’s stuttering game plan and list flaws laid bare after shock 2025 fall​

@KateSalemme the Australian

After playing finals in two of the last three seasons, Richmond’s stunning fall to second-last with only two wins has been one of the shocks of the AFLW season.
With big-name players out of form, a stuttering game plan and list imbalance limiting options to turn fortunes around, the Tigers have had no answers.

Ranked third-last for points scored in 2025, averaging only 29 per game, they have struggled to score despite boasting a potent forward line on paper, led by captain Katie Brennan, Caitlin Greiser, Emilia Yassir and Paige Scott.



Compounding matters down the other end is Richmond has leaked big scores, conceding the fourth-most points to opposition (49).

It has been a steep decline, after last year ranking sixth for points scored (40 per game) and rated the sixth-best defence, conceding only 31 points per game.

Watching Richmond this season, the need for a more daring game plan more conducive to what successful teams are producing is clear.

Its ball movement has been too safe and slow, a far cry from the exhilarating styles produced by North Melbourne, Melbourne and Hawthorn. It has looked at times that there is no method to moving the ball as players resort to kicking long down the line, which is too easy to defend.

In part that game style is probably dictated by the players at 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

’s disposal.



There is a lack of pace and overall agility on the list, highlighted by recruiting missteps across the past two trade periods. Trading for Jodie Hicks and Ally Dallaway from GWS at the end of 2023 was an error, with too many similar types already at the club. The Tigers also traded for Montana Beruldsen from Sydney last year in a bid to bring in some speed, but she doesn’t win anywhere near enough of the ball.

The Tigers have traded for too many players already in the system rather than investing in the draft, which has resulted in too many of the same one-dimensional players and now the need to overhaul the overall athletic profile of the list. They also drafted another medium defender, Issy Bacon with pick No.13 in the 2023 draft, despite having a plethora of similar options when key forward Chantal Mason (pick No.18 to Geelong) was there and would have filled an area of need as a developing key forward to eventually replace Brennan.

I do, however, love the drafting of Sierra Grieves (pick 11) and Zoe Hargreaves (pick 20) last year. Both are elite young talents and I’m excited to see where they play Hargreaves next season, when she returns from a torn ACL. Her agility and ability to take the game on is exactly what the Tigers need, while Grieves has the potential to develop into one of the top inside midfielders in the competition.


Both Grieves and Hargreaves must play consistently next season. It’s time to see what these young players can produce, because while the likes of Kate Dempsey, Sarah Hosking, Laura McClelland, Maddie Shevlin and Tessa Lavey have served the club well, the Tigers have reached their ceiling with these experienced players. It’s time now to invest in youth, who will bring more speed and dare and transform this team into one capable of playing a more exciting and fast-paced brand of footy and take the club forward.

LIST NEEDS ​

The Tigers need speed and lots of it. AFLW is played at a frantic pace and the most successful teams have speed across all lines, but most importantly at halfback and through the midfield/wing, and Richmond is severely lacking in these areas. They desperately need two dynamic halfbacks who can break the lines, take the game on and put speed on the ball to isolate their dangerous forwards. The midfield, while supremely talented, is too one-dimensional. Bringing in a player who can add some chaos, like Tiger-turned-Kangaroo Eilish Sheerin did, to the mix would be ideal.



They also need to find a replacement for Brennan, who is now 33. A key forward in the 22-25 age bracket would be ideal, and hybrid players with athleticism, agility, speed and good ball use.

Richmond also need to go back to what worked after making positional changes that haven’t been successful. Defender Bec Miller has been a stalwart but has been moved around this year, with stints up forward and on the wing, and it’s disrupted the defence. Play her at full back where she’s been an All-Australian squad member. This would allow Libby Graham, whose best asset is her ability to intercept, to play her more natural role.

TRADE TARGETS ​

Young Carlton key forward Mia Austin would be an ideal fit. At 178cm, the former No.18 draft pick has fallen out of favour and would benefit from learning from Brennan and Grieser. She’s capable of attacking the footy in the air, is an accurate set shot and has enormous upside.

Melbourne’s Megan Fitzsimon has had a breakout season and would be an excellent addition to add speed and game-breaking ability to the midfield and wing. Her agility and evasive skills are exciting, she’s great by foot and can win it on both the inside and outside.

Erika O’Shea provides electric speed and game-breaking ability for North Melbourne and is exactly the type of player that would help transform the Tigers’ game style. Could more responsibility appeal to the Irishwoman?

Georgia Clarke has had a quiet season at Essendon and has been asked to play more of a lockdown role after having a breakout season as a hybrid halfback in 2024. Could pitching that role could tempt the 25-year-old, who’s also in the perfect age bracket for the Tigers.

UNTOUCHABLES ​

Conti, McKenzie, Grieves, Hargreaves, Brennan, Yassir, Greiser, Graham.

TRADE BAIT ​

Grace Egan has been a steady contributor in the midfield but it might be time to mix up the onballers and hand the in and under keys to Grieves. Many clubs would be keen, including St Kilda, Essendon, Fremantle (where her sister Holly plays) and Collingwood, and she’d command a decent trade.

Shevlin has been a solid contributor across her five seasons at the Tigers but has she reached her ceiling in this team?

McClelland has been thrown around into multiple roles, but never quite settling. Is she a forward? A defender? An undersized ruck? If a club came with a decent offer I’dhave a look at it, especially if it could help to bring in an Austin or O’Shea.

CRYSTAL BALL ​

If the Tigers overhaul their list this off-season and invest in youth, while bringing in a couple of established players with speed, they can bounce back next year. The forward line is dangerous with Brennan, Greiser, Yassir, Scott and Mackenzie Ford, but they need to be given opportunity to do damage via fast ball movement to challenge their defenders in 1v1s, rather than playing straight line footy that’s easy to defend. But, if the Tigers only make minimal changes on and off the field following the review of the AFLW program, it will be another lean season in 2026. Consistency is key when playing the kids who are the future of the club and where the game is going.

 

[TigermanM2]

Richmond’s stuttering game plan and list flaws laid bare after shock 2025 fall​

@KateSalemme the Australian

After playing finals in two of the last three seasons, Richmond’s stunning fall to second-last with only two wins has been one of the shocks of the AFLW season.
With big-name players out of form, a stuttering game plan and list imbalance limiting options to turn fortunes around, the Tigers have had no answers.

Ranked third-last for points scored in 2025, averaging only 29 per game, they have struggled to score despite boasting a potent forward line on paper, led by captain Katie Brennan, Caitlin Greiser, Emilia Yassir and Paige Scott.

View attachment 2467116

Compounding matters down the other end is Richmond has leaked big scores, conceding the fourth-most points to opposition (49).

It has been a steep decline, after last year ranking sixth for points scored (40 per game) and rated the sixth-best defence, conceding only 31 points per game.

Watching Richmond this season, the need for a more daring game plan more conducive to what successful teams are producing is clear.

Its ball movement has been too safe and slow, a far cry from the exhilarating styles produced by North Melbourne, Melbourne and Hawthorn. It has looked at times that there is no method to moving the ball as players resort to kicking long down the line, which is too easy to defend.

In part that game style is probably dictated by the players at coach Ryan Ferguson’s disposal.

View attachment 2467117

There is a lack of pace and overall agility on the list, highlighted by recruiting missteps across the past two trade periods. Trading for Jodie Hicks and Ally Dallaway from GWS at the end of 2023 was an error, with too many similar types already at the club. The Tigers also traded for Montana Beruldsen from Sydney last year in a bid to bring in some speed, but she doesn’t win anywhere near enough of the ball.

The Tigers have traded for too many players already in the system rather than investing in the draft, which has resulted in too many of the same one-dimensional players and now the need to overhaul the overall athletic profile of the list. They also drafted another medium defender, Issy Bacon with pick No.13 in the 2023 draft, despite having a plethora of similar options when key forward Chantal Mason (pick No.18 to Geelong) was there and would have filled an area of need as a developing key forward to eventually replace Brennan.

I do, however, love the drafting of Sierra Grieves (pick 11) and Zoe Hargreaves (pick 20) last year. Both are elite young talents and I’m excited to see where they play Hargreaves next season, when she returns from a torn ACL. Her agility and ability to take the game on is exactly what the Tigers need, while Grieves has the potential to develop into one of the top inside midfielders in the competition.

View attachment 2467118
Both Grieves and Hargreaves must play consistently next season. It’s time to see what these young players can produce, because while the likes of Kate Dempsey, Sarah Hosking, Laura McClelland, Maddie Shevlin and Tessa Lavey have served the club well, the Tigers have reached their ceiling with these experienced players. It’s time now to invest in youth, who will bring more speed and dare and transform this team into one capable of playing a more exciting and fast-paced brand of footy and take the club forward.

LIST NEEDS ​

The Tigers need speed and lots of it. AFLW is played at a frantic pace and the most successful teams have speed across all lines, but most importantly at halfback and through the midfield/wing, and Richmond is severely lacking in these areas. They desperately need two dynamic halfbacks who can break the lines, take the game on and put speed on the ball to isolate their dangerous forwards. The midfield, while supremely talented, is too one-dimensional. Bringing in a player who can add some chaos, like Tiger-turned-Kangaroo Eilish Sheerin did, to the mix would be ideal.

View attachment 2467119

They also need to find a replacement for Brennan, who is now 33. A key forward in the 22-25 age bracket would be ideal, and hybrid players with athleticism, agility, speed and good ball use.

Richmond also need to go back to what worked after making positional changes that haven’t been successful. Defender Bec Miller has been a stalwart but has been moved around this year, with stints up forward and on the wing, and it’s disrupted the defence. Play her at full back where she’s been an All-Australian squad member. This would allow Libby Graham, whose best asset is her ability to intercept, to play her more natural role.

TRADE TARGETS ​

Young Carlton key forward Mia Austin would be an ideal fit. At 178cm, the former No.18 draft pick has fallen out of favour and would benefit from learning from Brennan and Grieser. She’s capable of attacking the footy in the air, is an accurate set shot and has enormous upside.

Melbourne’s Megan Fitzsimon has had a breakout season and would be an excellent addition to add speed and game-breaking ability to the midfield and wing. Her agility and evasive skills are exciting, she’s great by foot and can win it on both the inside and outside.

Erika O’Shea provides electric speed and game-breaking ability for North Melbourne and is exactly the type of player that would help transform the Tigers’ game style. Could more responsibility appeal to the Irishwoman?

Georgia Clarke has had a quiet season at Essendon and has been asked to play more of a lockdown role after having a breakout season as a hybrid halfback in 2024. Could pitching that role could tempt the 25-year-old, who’s also in the perfect age bracket for the Tigers.

View attachment 2467120

UNTOUCHABLES ​

Conti, McKenzie, Grieves, Hargreaves, Brennan, Yassir, Greiser, Graham.

TRADE BAIT ​

Grace Egan has been a steady contributor in the midfield but it might be time to mix up the onballers and hand the in and under keys to Grieves. Many clubs would be keen, including St Kilda, Essendon, Fremantle (where her sister Holly plays) and Collingwood, and she’d command a decent trade.

Shevlin has been a solid contributor across her five seasons at the Tigers but has she reached her ceiling in this team?

McClelland has been thrown around into multiple roles, but never quite settling. Is she a forward? A defender? An undersized ruck? If a club came with a decent offer I’dhave a look at it, especially if it could help to bring in an Austin or O’Shea.

CRYSTAL BALL ​

If the Tigers overhaul their list this off-season and invest in youth, while bringing in a couple of established players with speed, they can bounce back next year. The forward line is dangerous with Brennan, Greiser, Yassir, Scott and Mackenzie Ford, but they need to be given opportunity to do damage via fast ball movement to challenge their defenders in 1v1s, rather than playing straight line footy that’s easy to defend. But, if the Tigers only make minimal changes on and off the field following the review of the AFLW program, it will be another lean season in 2026. Consistency is key when playing the kids who are the future of the club and where the game is going.

With a couple of minor exceptions this is pretty much spot on.

Don't know much about Kate Salemme but she has clearly done her research.

 

[toenail63]

With a couple of minor exceptions this is pretty much spot on.

Don't know much about Kate Salemme but she has clearly done her research.

Nor I, she’s very close with the list summation so knows her stuff. Maybe a bit harsh on Dallaway but I get it because she’s not the quickest but still quick enough and would be even better in a quicker team playing as a high half forward. The need for run off half back agree on O’Shea she’s a rocket and a hell of a player in a team of superstars but how to get out of North when you could do so with monetary offer but premierships are pretty appealing too.
And a second running half back we may have already. Kate maybe undersell Bacon as IMO I see Bacon as becoming at least a Nat Grider role and could fill the other metres gained role from down back. Chantel Mason would have been great to draft but I also like Mia Austin and with Bohana and Scholz is a good suggestion to look at a trade in.

We do need speed on the wings, role for Hargreaves possibly, or this draft?

Trading Hicks and Beruldsen when we could have drafted young players definitely agree we only trade if pulling out a star from another team or trade in young players wanting opportunity elsewhere who would only cost late draft picks. No more bits here and there from other teams depth players and trying to turn them into something their not.

 

[Stigmata]

Yassir is not untouchable

 

[toenail63]

Yassir is not untouchable

Agree, for a player that I enjoyed watching for a few seasons for her attack on ball and player it’s disappointing what happened over last trade period and this years drop off. I don’t think the comp has seen the best of her and won’t until she consistently performs that way. Had better trade value last year but still a trade for mine, unless something comes to light through this review that changes my thinking.

 

[TigermanM2]

Yassir is not untouchable

That's one of the "minor exceptions" I was thinking about.

 

[TigermanM2]

No more bits here and there from other teams depth players and trying to turn them into something their not.

Amen to that.

 

[Cdog71]

I wonder how they’ll view the investment in Katie Brennan and whether or not that’s affected any opportunities to bring in established talent

 

[toenail63]

I wonder how they’ll view the investment in Katie Brennan and whether or not that’s affected any opportunities to bring in established talent

The established talent that we've traded in since the last CBA is only McKinnon, Dallaway, Hicks, and Beruldsen so maybe in holding accountability over any previous decisions deemed counter productive to trades could add weight to those reviewed.

However with the new CBA it's still the system itself that stifling opportunity. From 2024 with the 77% pay increase within this current CBA, it's been less around the offers of money, as it's restricted by the tier system, and more about what drawcard's a club has on offer.

When the AFLW eventually bring in salary caps and bin this current tiered system then this will help us, more than anything else strategically, in signing top established talent from other clubs.

Current base tier = bottom 16 players (or 54% of your list) and then it's the next 40% of players on your list up until you get to the top tier and bigger $.

It's that 40% of a list that you could slide down to base or towards base $, very much favourable for clubs with lists like us who either have big cohorts of fair to middling talent on their list, or have a higher % of younger players on their lists. This will provide the opportunity to access bigger $$ for offers to target players, as a salary cap means that $$ will then matter, and come into play to be able to draw players out of clubs that have stacked themselves with talent.

It's crazy to think that our 16 base tier players, are on the same coin as Norths 16 base tier players.

 

[TigermanM2]

I wonder how they’ll view the investment in Katie Brennan and whether or not that’s affected any opportunities to bring in established talent

I dare say no Katie no Mon Conti.

Sure it hasn't panned out but Katie was a superstar of the comp back then. If established talent wasn't coming with her at the club it sure wasn't going to come without her.

I don't think player payments have played that much of a part in player movement in women's footy as they do in men's. I think it's changing though.

 

[Cdog71]

The established talent that we've traded in since the last CBA is only McKinnon, Dallaway, Hicks, and Beruldsen so maybe in holding accountability over any previous decisions deemed counter productive to trades could add weight to those reviewed.

However with the new CBA it's still the system itself that stifling opportunity. From 2024 with the 77% pay increase within this current CBA, it's been less around the offers of money, as it's restricted by the tier system, and more about what drawcard's a club has on offer.

When the AFLW eventually bring in salary caps and bin this current tiered system then this will help us, more than anything else strategically, in signing top established talent from other clubs.

Current base tier = bottom 16 players (or 54% of your list) and then it's the next 40% of players on your list up until you get to the top tier and bigger $.

It's that 40% of a list that you could slide down to base or towards base $, very much favourable for clubs with lists like us who either have big cohorts of fair to middling talent on their list, or have a higher % of younger players on their lists. This will provide the opportunity to access bigger $$ for offers to target players, as a salary cap means that $$ will then matter, and come into play to be able to draw players out of clubs that have stacked themselves with talent.

It's crazy to think that our 16 base tier players, are on the same coin as Norths 16 base tier players.

I dont like the tier system and it does reduce opportunity with spots being locked away.

There’s no doubt KB was the best CHF in her mid 20’s and she’s obviously an alpha type and a natural leader.
It just looks like we buggered it up not making the most of what she had to offer.
I recognise the skill level in her, both sides of her body, marking overhead, running patterns etc.
But if you compare her stats to Gemma Houghton (15mths younger) it’s arguable who is more impactful.
Houghton is a bit more dynamic athletically but she hadn’t played a single organised game of Aussie Rules before the year she was drafted.
Look at KB against Courtney Wakefield.
KB played two more games during Wakefields career and kicked 5 more goals.

I think we had an approach of “if we have 3 A graders, that’ll be enough”

It just isn’t.