This year, Richmond superstar Monique Conti put her basketball career on hold to focus solely on the AFLW – a move she says was “a really tough decision” but one she has no regrets with, especially with the Tigers on the cusp of their maiden finals campaign.
“It was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Conti told The Age. “There was just an opportunity there that I didn’t want to miss. Richmond were going places and I wanted to be a part of that journey.”
“I thought, you know, the best way to be a part of that was to fully focus on it, so I had to sort of put basketball aside.”
Monique Conti played a starring role for the Tigers against the Bombers earlier in the season.Credit:Getty Images
Conti, still only 22, has a decorated basketball resume, including a gold medal at the 2016 FIBA under-17 world championship, the WNBL rookie of the year award for her first season with the Boomers in 2017, and a WNBL championship with the Southside Flyers.
“I have no regrets [about choosing AFLW] because coming into the footy season with an actual preseason under my belt, I’ve never felt fitter. And I didn’t even know that I could reach the levels that I’ve reached individually, fitness wise and everything like that.
“So, it was tough, but I’m happy I made it.”
Conti also said the attractiveness of the AFLW was hard to ignore.
“It’s hard as well with the AFLW being so successful, and they market so well and it’s growing so fast and people are getting behind it. It’s really hard to say no to that.”
Conti credits her basketball background for helping develop her into the type of footballer she is.
“And you can probably see it in some of the other basketballers – the agility, the ability to get out of a tight space, and just the ball skills, that all comes from my basketball,” she said.
“They complement each other so well. So I’m really grateful that, you know, I’m also a basketballer because I think it really helps my football, and vice-versa of course.”
While Conti has dazzled the AFLW competition since her first season in 2018, this year she has elevated her game and become one of the best-known players in the league, with the likes of Carlton coach Daniel Harford saying she was “without a doubt” the best player in the competition right now, and Patrick Dangerfield claiming she could win the best and fairest.
The midfielder went into the year as a premiership player with the Western Bulldogs, a three-time All-Australian and four-time club best and fairest, one of those with the Bulldogs and three with the Tigers, and with a best on ground in the 2018 grand final already under her belt.
She’s been lauded this season, particular, as she’s averaged 21 disposals, 5.9 tackles and 4.1 clearances per game and has consistently been among Richmond’s best.
Now she’s about to play a pivotal role in the finals as part of Richmond’s elite midfield – alongside Greg Egan, Ellie McKenzie and Sarah Hosking – as they reach the season’s business end for the first time in competition history after entering the AFLW as an expansion side in 2020.
The Tigers didn’t register a win in their first season, and then in 2021 notched three wins and six losses. This season, however, they have claimed seven victories on the trot and are sitting in the box seat for fourth spot with one round of the home and away campaign to go.
If they beat fellow top eight side North Melbourne this Sunday, they’ll head into finals with a double chance and a shot at contending for the flag.
Richmond are heading to their maiden AFLW finals series.Credit:Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images
“It’s been a long time in the making, getting into a finals position, but it’s just sort of a reward for effort,” said Conti.
“It’s not easy trying to come into a comp against inaugural teams that have been there from the get-go – and then you’re trying to build something new. So, it is challenging but once you find that groove, and you find your stripes so to speak, you’ve got to just sort of stick with that.
“We have gotten to a position where we’re not just here to compete anymore. We’re not just here to scrape through and get wins. We’re here to win every single game and dominate, and play our way – play the Richmond way.
“Week in week out, we try and improve and we’re never content with whatever the result it may be, whether it is a win or a loss. We’re always really hungry to improve, and I think we really show that as a group.
“I think it’s really special for the club [making finals]…it’s been a really long journey.”
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