List analysis: Richmond’s stuttering game plan and flaws laid bare after shock 2025 fall
As surprising as it is for many, Richmond is making the right decision to move on from experienced midfielder Grace Egan — it’s just the wrong execution.
After playing finals in two of the last three seasons, Richmond’s stunning fall to second-last with only two wins has been one of the shocks of the AFLW season.
With big-name players out of form, a stuttering game plan and list imbalance limiting options to turn fortunes around, the Tigers have had no answers.
Ranked third-last for points scored in 2025, averaging only 29 per game, they have struggled to score despite boasting a potent forward line on paper, led by captain Katie Brennan, Caitlin Greiser, Emilia Yassir and Paige Scott.
Compounding matters down the other end is Richmond has leaked big scores, conceding the fourth-most points to opposition (49).
It has been a steep decline, after last year ranking sixth for points scored (40 per game) and rated the sixth-best defence, conceding only 31 points per game.
Watching Richmond this season, the need for a more daring game plan more conducive to what successful teams are producing is clear.
Its ball movement has been too safe and slow, a far cry from the exhilarating styles produced by North Melbourne, Melbourne and Hawthorn. It has looked at times that there is no method to moving the ball as players resort to kicking long down the line, which is too easy to defend.
In part that game style is probably dictated by the players at coach Ryan Ferguson’s disposal.
There is a lack of pace and overall agility on the list, highlighted by recruiting missteps across the past two trade periods. Trading for Jodie Hicks and Ally Dallaway from GWS at the end of 2023 was an error, with too many similar types already at the club. The Tigers also traded for Montana Beruldsen from Sydney last year in a bid to bring in some speed, but she doesn’t win anywhere near enough of the ball.
The Tigers have traded for too many players already in the system rather than investing in the draft, which has resulted in too many of the same one-dimensional players and now the need to overhaul the overall athletic profile of the list. They also drafted another medium defender, Issy Bacon with pick No.13 in the 2023 draft, despite having a plethora of similar options when key forward Chantal Mason (pick No.18 to Geelong) was there and would have filled an area of need as a developing key forward to eventually replace Brennan.
I do, however, love the drafting of Sierra Grieves (pick 11) and Zoe Hargreaves (pick 20) last year. Both are elite young talents and I’m excited to see where they play Hargreaves next season, when she returns from a torn ACL. Her agility and ability to take the game on is exactly what the Tigers need, while Grieves has the potential to develop into one of the top inside midfielders in the competition.
Both Grieves and Hargreaves must play consistently next season. It’s time to see what these young players can produce, because while the likes of Kate Dempsey, Sarah Hosking, Laura McClelland, Maddie Shevlin and Tessa Lavey have served the club well, the Tigers have reached their ceiling with these experienced players. It’s time now to invest in youth, who will bring more speed and dare and transform this team into one capable of playing a more exciting and fast-paced brand of footy and take the club forward.
LIST NEEDS
The Tigers need speed and lots of it. AFLW is played at a frantic pace and the most successful teams have speed across all lines, but most importantly at halfback and through the midfield/wing, and Richmond is severely lacking in these areas. They desperately need two dynamic halfbacks who can break the lines, take the game on and put speed on the ball to isolate their dangerous forwards. The midfield, while supremely talented, is too one-dimensional. Bringing in a player who can add some chaos, like Tiger-turned-Kangaroo Eilish Sheerin did, to the mix would be ideal.
They also need to find a replacement for Brennan, who is now 33. A key forward in the 22-25 age bracket would be ideal, and hybrid players with athleticism, agility, speed and good ball use.
Richmond also need to go back to what worked after making positional changes that haven’t been successful. Defender Bec Miller has been a stalwart but has been moved around this year, with stints up forward and on the wing, and it’s disrupted the defence. Play her at full back where she’s been an All-Australian squad member. This would allow Libby Graham, whose best asset is her ability to intercept, to play her more natural role.
TRADE TARGETS
Young Carlton key forward Mia Austin would be an ideal fit. At 178cm, the former No.18 draft pick has fallen out of favour and would benefit from learning from Brennan and Grieser. She’s capable of attacking the footy in the air, is an accurate set shot and has enormous upside.
The strong hands from Mia Austin to secure Carlton's first ðŸ‘#AFLWBluesPiespic.twitter.com/ZLSrJoBIGX
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) August 14, 2025
Melbourne’s Megan Fitzsimon has had a breakout season and would be an excellent addition to add speed and game-breaking ability to the midfield and wing. Her agility and evasive skills are exciting, she’s great by foot and can win it on both the inside and outside.
Erika O’Shea provides electric speed and game-breaking ability for North Melbourne and is exactly the type of player that would help transform the Tigers’ game style. Could more responsibility appeal to the Irishwoman?
Georgia Clarke has had a quiet season at Essendon and has been asked to play more of a lockdown role after having a breakout season as a hybrid halfback in 2024. Could pitching that role could tempt the 25-year-old, who’s also in the perfect age bracket for the Tigers.
UNTOUCHABLES
Monique Conti, McKenzie, Grieves, Hargreaves, Brennan, Yassir, Greiser, Graham.
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Grace Egan has been a steady contributor in the midfield so the time is right to mix up the onballers and hand the in and under keys to Grieves. As surprising as it is for many, Richmond is making the right decision to move on from Egan — it’s just the wrong execution. Many clubs are looking for a player of her ilk, including St Kilda, Essendon, Fremantle (where her sister Holly plays) and Collingwood, and she would have commanded a decent trade if the club didn’t already tell her there’s no contract offer, effectively delisting her. Clubs now know they might be able to wait until the draft to secure Egan, so even if there is a trade done it will likely be for a very late selection, when initially she could have easily commanded a second-round pick or a decent player swap. A solid trade to help fast-track their rise up the ladder may have gone begging.
TRADE BAIT
Shevlin has been a solid contributor across her five seasons at the Tigers but has she reached her ceiling in this team?
McClelland has been thrown around into multiple roles, but never quite settling. Is she a forward? A defender? An undersized ruck? If a club came with a decent offer I’dhave a look at it, especially if it could help to bring in an Austin or O’Shea.
CRYSTAL BALL
If the Tigers overhaul their list this off-season and invest in youth, while bringing in a couple of established players with speed, they can bounce back next year. The forward line is dangerous with Brennan, Greiser, Yassir, Scott and Mackenzie Ford, but they need to be given opportunity to do damage via fast ball movement to challenge their defenders in 1v1s, rather than playing straight line footy that’s easy to defend. But, if the Tigers only make minimal changes on and off the field following the review of the AFLW program, it will be another lean season in 2026. Consistency is key when playing the kids who are the future of the club and where the game is going.
Originally published as List analysis: Richmond’s stuttering game plan and flaws laid bare after shock 2025 fall
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