AFLW Round 1, 2021 - Richmond vs Brisbane

Richmond were unable to start their second AFLW season off with their first ever win, going down to a very strong Brisbane outfit by 29 points at the Swinburne Centre.

In the first AFL/AFLW return to Punt Road Oval in a long time, the Tigers fought hard, but ultimately were out done by a classier outfit, going down 1.6 (12) to 5.11 (41).

Richmond fought hard against a strong Brisbane outfit.

It was a new look Richmond lineup, who had done some decent recruiting in the off-season and had seven debutants for the club on the day.

Harriet Cordner, Sarah Hosking, Tessa Lavey, Luka Lesosky-Hay, Sarah D'Arcy, Sarah Dargan and the #1 overall pick in the draft, Ellie McKenzie, all pulled on the boots for Richmond for the first time.

McKenzie acquitted herself well in her first game, and showed plenty of reasons why she went number one, with her long, raking kicks and strong marking showing she was going to be a great player for the club for a long time.

She was backed up well by Sarah Hosking, who assumed the vice-captaincy after crossing from the Blues, and brought some of her trademark aggression to the contest which was sorely needed last year.

The Lions had obviously done their homework, with a very hard tag on Mon Conti halting the Tigers ability to win effective possession out of the middle.

Such was the Lions lockdown job, Conti didn't get a disposal in the first term and was was held for most of the match.

Richmond would only kick the one goal for the game, but it was a history making one, with Courtney Wakefield going down as the first AFLW Tiger to kick a goal for the club at Punt Road Oval.

But ultimately it was Brisbane's day, who were the much cleaner of the two teams, particularly when moving forward.

In what was an impressive debut, McKenzie was probably best on for the Tigers with her ball use and decision making, finishing with 12 disposals and 4 marks.

The aforementioned Hosking was strong in her first game in yellow and black, while defenders Harriet Cordner and Gabby Seymour battled well against an influx of ball, with Seymour picking up the most disposals for Richmond with 16.

Stats for the game

A Fighting Fury player ratings - click here for explanation

Ellie McKenzie	5
Sarah Hosking	4
Gabby Seymour	4
Harriet Cordner	4
Courtney Wakefield	3
Sabrina Frederick	3
Katie Brennan	3
Monique Conti	2
Phoebe Monahan	2
Rebecca Miller	2
Sarah D'Arcy	2
Sophie Molan	2
Akec Makur Chuot	2
Kate Dempsey	1
Kodi Jacques	1
Christina Bernardi	0
Sarah Dargan	0
Iilish Ross	0
Luka Lesosky-Hay	0
Hannah Burchell	0
Tayla Stahl	0