Richmond AFLW superstar Monique Conti has put pen to paper on a fresh three-year extension, tying her to the Club until at least the end of 2027.
The exciting contract news comes following President John O’Rourke’s recent announcement that Conti would become the Club’s inaugural AFLW player to be awarded with Richmond Life Membership.
“The AGM will be in December, but I thought it was fitting to give advanced notice,” O’Rourke said at the Club’s recent AFLW Season Launch.
“(Monique is) last season’s AFLW League Best and Fairest winner, our games record holder and almost impossible to believe… also a five times Richmond best and fairest.
“That qualifies for life membership.”
Conti, 24, is already one of the game's most decorated players, having reached significant heights across her seven-season AFLW journey.
The dynamic and evasive midfielder was best on ground in the Bulldogs’ 2018 AFLW premiership as a first-year player, and the following year, after winning her first Club best and fairest, she requested a trade to Richmond.
Richmond parted ways with the 2019 AFLW Draft's No. 1 selection in exchange for Conti, and the Club has been rewarded in spades with her consistently brilliant performances.
Conti has featured in a Club-high 47 of a possible 48 games in Yellow and Black and has won five consecutive best and fairest awards for Richmond.
The cross-code athlete polled 23 votes from just 10 games and five wins when claiming the AFLW league best and fairest last year, fitting recognition given her outstanding form across many seasons.
Conti, a five-time AFLW All-Australian, also won the AFLW Player-voted MVP in 2023 and was Runner-Up in the League Medal.
Richmond’s number four averaged 28.5 disposals per game last season and was ranked #1 in the AFLW for clearances.
Conti, who arrived at Richmond at age 19, has also developed her leadership credentials during her time at the Club and has been a part of the leadership group for the past three seasons.
The midfielder has also captained the Club on multiple occasions, becoming its youngest AFLW skipper at age 22 in Round 10 of the 2022 season in the absence of Katie Brennan.
Conti said that having been a part of the Club since the “get-go” she was driven by the ambition of helping to drive the group towards a premiership.
“The goal is a premiership,” she said.
“I think that's next for us and I really want to be a part of that and a part of the core group that drives that.
“I love the Club; ever since I stepped foot, it’s been welcoming and a family vibe. I feel really connected with my teammates, coaching staff, and everything like that.
“I come in every day and feel connected and valued and cared about... It’s really rare to find that, but I have here, and I’d like to call Richmond my home.”
Richmond Head of Women’s Football, Kate Sheahan, said Conti’s long-term commitment to the Club was exciting for everyone at Richmond.
“Monique has bought into our football program since the day she arrived back in 2019 and comes to the Club every day hungry to improve,” she added.
"This is a greatly important signing for us, and Mon's commitment shows enormous faith and how much she believes in this Club and loves her teammates.
“Amazingly, Mon's best football is still in front of her, and we cannot wait to see what she can help us achieve in the next four seasons and beyond as a Richmond player.”
Sheahan added that Conti's life membership was a remarkable achievement.
"We are so proud as an AFLW program of Mon, and she is very deserving of the massive honour of becoming the Club's first female footballer to receive life membership."
Conti commenced her sixth season in Yellow and Black in trademark fashion last Friday night, gathering a team-high 30 disposals and the maximum 10 coaches' votes in the one-point loss.
