A HIGHLY efficient Richmond notched its first win of the year at the expense of Hawthorn on Sunday the Swinburne Centre. 

Monique Conti and Grace Egan dominated for the Tigers, both collecting 23 disposals and five clearances in 35-point win.

Eilish Sheerin began in defence but her impact was increasing felt forward as Richmond asserted their authority, and she finished with 20 possessions in the 7.2 (44) to 1.3 (9) contest.

The ability of Richmond's midfield to hit the scoreboard was game changing: Conti kicked three goals, while Ellie McKenzie and Egan managed a goal each. Courtney Wakefield and Stella Reid also hit the scoreboard, while Charlotte Baskaran contributed Hawthorn's only major.

Former No.1 draft pick McKenzie's full potential was on display as she put in an all-around athletic performance to create some of the Tigers' best highlights.

Richmond's dominance in the air (+22 for marks) was too much for the Hawks and ensured the Tigers won the territory battle.

Wakefield (six marks up forward), Egan and McKenzie (five each around the ground), Maddie Shevlin and Gabrielle Seymour (six and three respectively in defence) ensured Richmond controlled how the game was played.

While behind on the scoreboard, the Hawks were in the game up until quarter time through winning contested ball and clearances. However, led by Conti and Egan, the Richmond engine room went to work and the Hawks' hopes were snuffed out, and they were held goalless for the remainder of the game.

The dominance of the Richmond midfield resulted in higher-quality opportunities in their attacking zone. Despite relative parity in inside-50 entries for most of the match (+6 to Richmond), the Tigers' conversion rate of 38 per cent to Hawthorn's seven per cent continued to put distance between the two sides throughout the afternoon.

The Hawks' effort was not lacking, especially being a player down after losing Eliza Shannon to concussion in the second half.

Tilly Lucas-Rodd (17 disposals and 12 tackles), Aileen Gilroy (17 disposals and 8 tackles) were in the fight all afternoon. Kaitlyn Ashmore's energy was best epitomised through her constant running and eight tackles to go with her 13 possessions, and Catherine Brown also stood tall in an intriguing battle with Wakefield.

However, it was a powerful display by the Tigers, who now have reward for effort after showing potential in their opening games.

Conti's day out
Monique Conti's pedigree has never been in doubt and she enhanced her reputation with a midfield masterclass against the Hawks. Quality possession, often after winning her own ball, 11 ground ball gets on a wet day, three goals, and plenty of outside run showed why she is a nightmare match-up for opposition sides.

Eye-catching Ellie
Conti was best afield, but this game might be best remembered for McKenzie's magic. Her intent was clear early in the first quarter when she took four bounces and unselfishly set up Egan for the first goal of the match, and a couple of minutes later she helped create Conti's first of the day. McKenzie also showed she can influence the scoreboard by creating her own goal – a neat set shot finish from the boundary line – after her chase down tackle created a holding the ball decision.

Up next
Round 4 sees Richmond take on Essendon at ETU Stadium on Saturday.

RICHMOND     2.0    4.0    5.1    7.2 (44)
HAWTHORN    1.1    1.1    1.1    1.3 (9)

GOALS
Richmond: Conti 3, McKenzie, Egan, Reid, Wakefield
Hawthorn: Baskaran

BEST
Richmond: Conti, Egan, McKenzie, Sheerin, Seymour
Hawthorn: Lucas-Rodd, Gilroy, Ashmore, Brown

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Hawthorn: Eliza Shannon (concussion)

LATE CHANGES
Richmond: Nil
Hawthorn: Mackenzie Eardley replaced by Laura Elliott