AFLW Round 4 Preview | Carlton V Richmond
Written by Nathan Sepe
Following the Baggers’ first win of the season against the Saints, they are looking to make it two in a row against a struggling Richmond side who still have failed to get their first win of the season.
It was a fantastic game for the Baggers’ last week against the Saints, with efficient ball movement and strong forward and defensive pressure being the key to dismantling the Saints. The Baggers’ seemed to have the same problem they’ve had for two out of three games this season, going scoreless in the first quarter, luckily not being punished heavily by St Kilda, allowing a solid fightback effort from the Baggers. After the first quarter, it seemed a much harder Blues side, coming out with more intensity and smarter footy, ensuring effective ball movement around the ground and consistent inside 50 entries.
There were great games for the likes of Maddy Prespakis as usual, Nicola Stevens and Abbie McKay. Prespakis dominated the centre of the ground, giving consistent rebounds into our forward 50 as well as giving it off to players on the run or in to space. Stevens put her footy smarts on display, kicking two goals off smart soccer plays that put the Baggers ahead at crucial times, and helped to control the game. McKay played a prolific role, with 17 disposals and 13 handballs, using the ball effectively, bringing the ball out of space and finding loose players to transition up forward. McKay was also last round’s nominee for the NAB Rising Star Award.
Opposition Analysis
The Tigers have had trouble against the experienced teams, as their young list with a couple of experienced players has failed to give them any chance of taking it to the original teams of AFLW for four quarters, with their game plan and skills still in development. Strong areas of Richmond include their pressure and intensity heading into the forward 50 and their ability for the key midfielders to move the ball up the ground. Ultimately, the downfall in the Tigers is their poor kicking and conversion inside 50s at times.
Strong players for the Tigers include Katie Brennan, averaging 11 disposals a game, 8 kicks and 4 marks per game. She will be most likely matched with Prespakis throughout the game, aiming to shut her out of midfield involvement. Along with Brennan, Monique Conti is the Tigers’ star midfielder, running the middle of the ground, averaging 22 disposals per game, 10 kicks per game and 11 handballs per game. It will be important for either McKay or Egan to tag her and lessen her midfield influence.
Who is it a big game for?
Abbie McKay – Following a great game from McKay last week, it will be important for her to play her role in the midfield, efficiently distributing the ball out to our running mids in Prespakis and Egan, in order to take Conti and Brennan out of Richmond’s midfield.
Bri Moody – Gabby Seymour had a great game for the Tigers’ against the pies, dominating in the ruck with 16 hitouts compared to Smith with 6 hitouts, Collingwood’s highest hitout leader for the day. It will be important for Moody to control the hitouts and provide quick, efficient run throughout the ground.
Overall, a game that should not be too much trouble for the Baggers’ to win with the experience and depth that should be the key factor in getting the girls over the line.
