Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Go behind the scenes with Tiger Issy Bacon after Richmond’s win over Collingwood.
The result marked the first win for new coach Jarrad Donders and his assistant, two-time Coleman medallist Brendan Fevola.
Monique Conti put on a star showing as Richmond started life under new coach Jarrad Donders with an 18-point AFLW win over Collingwood at Ikon Park.
The Tigers dominated Saturday’s match from start to finish, but it wasn’t until the second half when they could put on real scoreboard pressure in the 6.10 (46) to 4.4 (28) win.
Conti starred with 26 disposals, seven clearances, seven tackles, 527 metres gained and one goal, while Poppy Kelly (23 hitouts, 15 disposals) was the dominant ruck on the ground.
Collingwood entered the match featuring 10 new players, including six AFLW debutants, in what was a new-look team from the one that finished 15th with just three wins last year.
The Roos have a special postscript to today’s win over Geelong, which was their 28th win in a row, as they raised their 2025 premiership banner at Marvel Stadium.
Jas Garner and Ash Riddell did the honours for the Roos who pumped their fists and celebrated as the flag was shown to the crowd as the men’s sides went through their final preparations.
The flag is hanging up at Marvel next to the team’s 2024 AFLW flag.
North Melbourne remain the team to beat in the new AFLW season after thumping Geelong by 73 points in their season opener at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
The two-time defending premiers extended their winning streak to 28 games, cruising to victory after a dominant third term in front of a crowd which grew to more than 10,000 by the final siren.
Skipper Ash Riddell was superb, finishing with 35, while teammate Jasmine Garner had 34. Garner also notched her 100th career goal when she soccered through a chance from about 20 metres out.
Irishwoman Blaithin Blogue and teammate Tahlia Randall each booted three goals. The Cats battled hard, with Amy McDonald and Rebecca Webster finding plenty of the ball.
This has been a brutal term for the Cats, falling behind 77-25 by the final break. The Kangaroos have attacked relentlessly, bursting through the corridor at will. It’s been a learning experience for the Cats.
The Kangaroos, meanwhile, have their 28th-straight win in the bag.
Ash Riddell now has 30 disposals, while Jasmine Garner has 27.
That was a strong mark by Cats forward Jacqueline Parry over Libby Birch, who was out-bodied in a duel at the top of the goal square. Parry converts. But the Kangaroos quickly respond, this time with Ruby Tripodi delivering. The Roos lead by 25 points.
The Saints lead the Tigers 48-23 at half-time at the MCG. In a clash with finals implications for the Saints, Brad Hill has a whopping 26 disposals and Max Hall 23. We’ll see if the Tigers can play spoiler.
It’s red-alert for the Cats, the Kangaroos heaping scoreboard pressure on, the latest goal from Blaithin Bogue, who converted a regulation running shot. The Kangaroos are dominating clearances and inside 50s.
And that’s a wrap for the first half, the Kangaroos leading by 22 points at the main break.
Ball magnet Ash Riddell has 19 disposals, while Mia King has 17.
For the Cats, Rebecca Webster has 14, while Amy McDonald has 13.
The Kangaroos are starting to get their pressure game going, and the Cats are struggling to generate run.
That’s two goals in a row for the Kangaroos, from Jasmine Garner and Tahlia Randall, extending their lead to 10 points.
In a men’s game with finals implications, the Saints lead 45-16 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter. The Saints must win to have any chance of pinching a wildcard berth.
