The Tigers were “torched” by minor premiers Brisbane but now return to their “spiritual home” Punt Road for a semi-final showdown with North Melbourne.
That move itself has caused plenty of AFLW controversy, with Richmond accused of locking out not only rival Roos fans, but their own as the venue holds just 2800.
By opting to play at the smaller venue, despite a host of clashing events including the Matildas, the Tigers have put a massive target on their back in Saturday’s do-or-die final.
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Richmond drew first blood in the AFLW semi final after a dangerous inside 50 saw Katelyn Cox get to the back of the pack.
Cox made no mistake with her quick snap, nailing her first ever AFLW goal.
But constant forward pressure eventually paid off for the Roos, with Sophie Abbatangelo slotting a brilliant set shot from the pocket to give her side a one-point advantage midway through the opening term.
When Emma King was paid a free kick for a push out, she set up Ash Riddell on the 45, and the footy ended up with Alice O’Loughlin just 20 metres out from goal.
O’Loughlin went back and extended the Roos’ lead with ease.
“A fantastic piece of play by King – (the 45 kick) shifted the whole Richmond defence,” commentator Libby Birch said.
Abbatangelo was able to get her second goal of the day when she simply played to the umpire’s whistle and refused to stop when those around her did.
The Roo strolled into an open goal as warning bells started to sound for the Tigers.
But it took star Monique Conti to spark Richmond, as she set up Courtney Wakefield with her first touch of the day.
Conti entered the semi final clash with her knee heavily strapped and appeared hampered at times in the first term.
But she stepped up when her side needed her.
A stiff free kick to Emelia Yassir ensured the Tigers closed to within two points at the first change.
Jasmine Garner continued her hot run of form when she nailed the first goal of the second term, before a soft free king to King saw her go back and kick her second – giving North a 15-point lead.
Katie Brennan had half a chance for Richmond moments later but was quickly shut down as the Roos’ intensity lifted.
And it was Garner again who did the damage for the Roos when she drifted forward and slotted her second goal.
“This is some performance,” commentator Alister Nicholson said.
“You can see her use her height advantage as a weapon today,” Birch added.
“Already she’s dominated. Two marks inside 50 and she’s changed the game for North Melbourne.”
Yassir kept the Tigers within touching distance with an “opportunist goal” off one step, but again the Tigers couldn’t stop North’s forward run.
Isabella Eddey was the lucky recipient as she got to the back of the pack and regained North’s 21-point advantage.
“This is turning into a bit of a shoot out!” Nicholson said.
“This is the ball movement we’ve seen from North Melbourne when they are at their best,” Birch added.
When Libby Graham failed to kill the contest, Ellie Gavalas pounced and landed North’s eighth goal for the half.
By the main change, it was North Melbourne leading by 29 points.
Despite battling a foot issue, it was Katie Brennan who got the Tigers’ first of the third as Richmond players lifted.
A string of bruising tackles went unrewarded for the Tigers but the pressure ramped up.
“It’s really pivotal in changing the mindset of this side,” Hickey said.
But again the Roos’ run through the middle of the ground just couldn’t be contained as Randall pushed their lead back out.
Sarah Hosking absolutely threw her weight around with a massive bump on Mia King, before Conti nailed her first goal of the match.
Battling both a knee and groin issue, Conti headed forward for the third and it paid off as the margin to closed to 23 points.
Roos star Garner headed to the bench in a massive injury concern for North, but made her way back out onto the ground.
TIGERS GROUND CONTROVERSY REIGNS
Richmond are heading to a venue where they have won just four of their past 12 games, while semi final opponent North Melbourne are yet to be beaten at Punt Road – winning four from four.
But the Tigers will be bolstered by the return of vice-captain Sarah Hosking, after missing the qualifying final with an adductor strain.
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The Roos meantime will go in with an unchanged line up after their thrilling elimination final win over Geelong.
Coach Darren Crocker says despite the venue drama surrounding Saturday’s clash, his side is focused on getting the win.
“All I’m disappointed about is the game obviously got sold out in 13 minutes and there’s going to be a lot of not just North Melbourne supporters, but I imagine Tigers supporters as well pretty disappointed that they can’t come and support their team,” he said.
“If we’re looking to grow a product like AFLW, this is the time potentially to open it up and play it at a bigger capacity venue.
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“To limit it to 2800 people, we played Richmond in the last home and away game – a non final and we had 3100 people here at Arden Street.
“It would make sense to move it (to a bigger venue). In saying that, we’re happy to play anywhere, anytime.”
Saturday’s semi-final starts at 1.40pm AEDT, with the winner to meet Melbourne in next week’s preliminary final.
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