AFLW 2024: All the latest pre-season news from across the competition
Richmond’s No.1 pick Ellie McKenzie is in ominous form as the start of the new season draws closer, with predictions she is ready to fulfil her “superstar” billing.
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Richmond captain Katie Brennan says the league is not ready for a fit and firing Ellie McKenzie as the side continues to prepare for its round 1 clash against the Eagles.
The No.1 draft pick suffered an ankle injury in the round 1 clash last year and missed the entire season as a result, but McKenzie and the rest of the team was putting in the hard yards.
“We all know she has shown glimpses of the superstar she is and I think the outside public has only seen a little bit of that,” she said.
“We are super excited to have her back and it’s a pleasure watching her go about her business.
“It’s been awesome coming back to the footy club and doing some work trying to build our game in different ways … day one of pre-season we hit the ground running.”
Richmond finished 10th last season but Brennan felt the team was building nicely and this was evident when they fell two points short against Brisbane in a practice match last week.
Monique Conti (23 disposals, three tackles) and McKenzie (21 disposals) found plenty of the ball while the captain led from the front with three majors.
Brennan said there was still “so much to work on” but was pleased with the “really exciting signs” from the game.
“We were really impressed with what we saw from our group, trying to grow our game in different ways and particularly consistency,” she said.
“The pressure was massive, our Richmond brand is always based on defensive pressure and that enables our attack,” she said.
“It was a really great test against Brisbane … we were able to push them to work through different areas of our game, it was super impressive.”
Brennan said the team’s focus throughout this pre-season had been around eliminating short lapses in matches.
“It’s about being more consistent, we’ve shown that we can play good footy in patches and match it with some of the top teams,” she said.
“I think the challenge for any team is to do that for longer, that’ll be our focus going into season 9.
The Tigers will travel to Perth to take on West Coast for the first game of the year on Friday August 30.
PORT STAR OUT OF AFLW SEASON AMID PROFESSIONALISM QUESTIONS
Port Adelaide’s first ever AFLW best and fairest winner, and former league rising star winner, Hannah Ewings won’t play this year as she takes “extended personal leave from the group”.
Ewings, 20, has been away from Alberton in recent weeks and a decision was made that she won’t be available for selection in 2024.
From Whyalla, Ewings was taken with Port’s first selection in the 2022 AFLW draft – third overall – and won the league’s rising star award and the Power’s best and fairest in a stunning debut campaign.
But she struggled to hit these heights in her second season, and was dropped by the Power for a game against North Melbourne for “not meeting performance standards and expectations”.
It is understood this and professionalism has been an issue for Ewings at Alberton, where improving the group’s fitness was the key focus for the Power over the off-season.
She did not play SANFLW for North Adelaide and has dealt with some personal issues.
Along with Lauren Young, who is out with an ACL, the Power will be without two of its most highly touted young guns.
The Power did beat Melbourne in its final pre-season game at Alberton on Sunday in a promising sign for Lauren Arnell’s side.
Glenelg midfielder Jo Miller has been added to the Power’s list as an injury replacement player for utility Indy Tahau – who has been moved to its inactive list.
Tahau suffered an ACL injury last season and after he rehabilitation did not progress as expected she will not be in a position to play in 2024.
The Power opens its AFLW campaign with a Showdown against Adelaide at Alberton Oval on August 31.
DEES MIDFIELDER STUCK IN SA AFTER NASTY INJURY
Melbourne midfielder Liv Purcell is stuck in Adelaide awaiting surgery after a brutal knock in Sunday’s AFLW practice match against Port Adelaide left her with multiple fractures in her face.
The tough Dee was taken straight to the hospital after the fourth-quarter incident, which also left her with a concussion.
Purcell will need surgery but must wait first for swelling in her face to go down and she will remain in Adelaide.
The Demons begin their season against Purcell’s old team Geelong on August 31 but the club has not indicated how long Purcell will be ruled out for.
“After meeting with a surgeon, it was determined that Liv will require surgery to stabilise the fractures in her face,” Melbourne head of women’s football Jessie Mulholland said.
“This can only occur once the swelling has reduced.
“As a result, Liv will be discharged from hospital today but will remain in Adelaide for the time being, with surgery likely to take place later this week.
“Liv’s wellbeing and ensuring she gets the best possible care and support, is paramount. She’s in good spirits and has been an absolute star throughout.”
Meanwhile, Hawthorn’s Lucy Wales has been hit with a one-game suspension after striking Sydney’s Bella Smith in Saturday’s pre-season match.
Wales’ fourth quarter hit was graded as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact.
Originally published as AFLW 2024: All the latest pre-season news from across the competition
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