Richmond has created history with its maiden AFLW triumph courtesy of a 47-point thrashing of Geelong at Kardinia Park.
Key points:
- The Tigers lost all six of their matches last year and their opening four this season
- Tigers captain Katie Brennan kicked three goals in her side’s triumph
- The Cats failed to score a point in the opening two quarters
The Tigers, who entered the AFLW last year, had found themselves winless after 10 matches across their first two seasons.
But they posted their first triumph in style, defeating the Cats 9.6 (60) to 2.1 (13) in the opening match of the AFLW’s Indigenous Round, before enjoying some emotional celebrations with their legion of fans who had made their way to Geelong.
Captain Katie Brennan led by example with three goals, icing the win in the dying stages with her third of the evening.
Brennan also tallied 17 disposals and five marks.
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Courtney Wakefield kicked two goals for the Tigers, while Kodie Jacques, Sabrina Frederick, Ellie McKenzie and Gabrielle Seymour each kicked one major.
Monique Conti was a valuable contributor for the victors with a match-high 27 disposals, 17 of which came in the first half.
Richelle Cranston and Amy McDonald kicked the only goals for the Cats, who could not muster a point in the opening two quarters.
Adding insult to injury for the Cats, star player Olivia Purcell (right knee) limped off the ground in the second quarter amid fears she may have ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament.
The result in the battle of the cellar-dwellers ensured the Cats remain winless from five matches so far this season, still searching for their own drought-breaking win, having not tasted victory in 358 days.
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Geelong has already recorded 13 goalless quarters and eight scoreless quarters in what has been a disastrous season so far.
The Tigers pounced early, ambushing the Cats with exceptional pressure in the first quarter to register 10 of the first 12 inside 50s and take a 13-point lead at quarter-time.
They maintained their manic intensity in the second period and Geelong simply could not cope, with a raft of defensive errors — three of which handed Richmond goals — leading to a total capitulation.
The visitors dominated the first half with a whopping 47 more disposals (128-81), 14 more inside 50s (19-5) and 25 more handball receives as they opened up a commanding 39-point lead at the main break.
The Tigers then outscored the hosts by eight points in a far less eventful second half.
AAP/ABC
