The VFLW Tigers will play their final game of the season this Saturday against the Southern Saints.

Richmond will travel to its opposition’s home territory of Skybus Stadium for Round 16, with the first bounce at 11:00am.

The Richmond v Frankston VFL match will follow at 2:00pm.

Just two wins separate Richmond and the Southern Saints, who sit in 11th and seventh respectively.

And after playing a demanding seven weeks straight, a bye last weekend has provided the Tigers with time to rest and refocus ahead of the final round.

Richmond AFL Women’s Football Operations Manager Kate Sheahan said the girls will be motivated to finish their inaugural season strongly following a devastating one-point loss to Williamstown in Round 14.

“It’s their last opportunity for 2018 to wear the jumper, and as a group, to really finish off what they’ve worked so hard for over the last five months,” Sheahan said.

“Regardless of whether we win and lose, we want to finish the season playing our way.”

It has been a whirlwind maiden season for the side, highlighted by a historic Round 1 win against the Western Bulldogs.

While the team will not be playing finals, Sheahan said the girls have produced some admirable performances against some of the league’s most experienced sides.

“We’ve had some amazing performances against some really quality opposition. Our close Hawthorn game was so impressive, as well as our game against NT Thunder,” Sheahan said.

“We know that development takes time, it’s a progression, and instant success is not sustainable. We’re looking to build and build and we feel like we’ve done that this year.”

An exciting year of growth has certainly not been without its challenges, as the team faced a number of season-ending injuries.

But most importantly, the girls have established a remarkable bond, and a true sense of camaraderie as they typified the Richmond brand.

“We’re really proud of how we’ve developed this group and how we’ve created an environment where the girls don’t want to leave,” Sheahan said.

“When you play at the Richmond Football Club, regardless of the result, you learn what an unbelievable culture is like, and what it’s like to be at a club that you really care about, and a club that really cares about you.”

With the invaluable experience of their first season, the Tigers will be well-prepped to roar in 2019, ahead of their entry into the AFLW in 2020.

SOUTHERN SAINTS v RICHMOND 
Round 16 – 25/8/2018
11:00AM
Skybus Stadium

B: 84. L. Bieniara, 63. J. Graham, 69. E. Burry
HB: 54. L. Bailey, 73. L. Davie, 83. J. Gardner
C: 75. B. Lynch, 85. N. Clarke, 88. P. Monahan
HF: 61. J. Colwell, 89. G. Dellar, 76. E. Ross
F: 53. K. Dixon, 81. E. George, 93. C. Bernardi
R: 68. A. Edmonds, 60. K. Dempsey, 52. J. Kennedy
Int: 59. A. Woodward, 71. R. Edmeades, 86. N. Clarke, 72. J. Radnall
Emg: 65. E. King, 78. V. Tonin, 62. T. Muller, 79. L. Tesoriero
23P: 92. T. Smith