Richmond will unveil three Tiger debutants against St Kilda this Saturday at RSEA Park.
Iilish Ross, Ciara Fitzgerald and Nekaela Butler will suit up in the Yellow and Black for the first time, as three of five changes for the Round 6 match.
Ross, a left-footed rebounding defender, crossed over to Richmond from Collingwood as an expansion signing during the 2019 AFLW Sign and Trade Period.
The 20-year-old, who missed the first five rounds due to a foot injury, brings plenty of experience, with 11 AFLW games to her name.
Reliable defender Fitzgerald, 18, was taken by the Tigers with pick No. 87 in the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft.
She’ll finally receive her opportunity after being named in Richmond’s emergencies on three occasions.
Butler, 18, who was selected by the Tigers with pick No. 55 in the draft, will also add to the Tigers’ backline. The tough defender, who is a Horsham local, boasts natural skills.
Richmond’s forward line will be boosted by the return of Courtney Wakefield, who missed Round 5 with concussion. Wakefield, who averages 4.5 marks per game, is also the Tigers’ leading goalkicker.
Hard-tackling midfielder Alana Woodward will also come back into Richmond’s line-up for her fifth outing this year.
Out of the side that lost to GWS last week are Laura McClelland (suspension), Lauren Tesoriero (illness), Sarah Sansonetti (rested), Ella Wood (omitted) and Laura Bailey (omitted).
Tesoriero has been withdrawn from the team for this weekend’s match against St Kilda for precautionary reasons.
“Club medical staff - in conjunction with the AFL - have taken an ultra cautious approach given she shares a house with someone who recently returned from overseas," the Club said via statement.
“Lauren’s housemate returned from Japan on Tuesday night. Despite having no contact with her housemate that evening, Lauren was sent home from the Club on Wednesday.
“Neither Lauren or her housemate are displaying any symptoms but in the current environment the Club and the AFL felt a period of isolation was the best course of action.”
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Richmond’s two emergencies for the Saints clash are Wood and Bailey.
Vice-captain Christina Bernardi will continue to skipper the Tigers in Katie Brennan’s absence.
The first bounce at RSEA Park is set for 5.10pm.
Richmond’s Round 6 team:
B: 28. Gabrielle Seymour, 34. Akec Makur Chuot
HB: 21. Iilish Ross, 20. Holly Whitford, 2. Phoebe Monahan
C: 19. Kate Dempsey, 43. Grace Campbell, 6. Christina Bernardi
HF: 14. Sabrina Frederick, 15. Rebecca Miller, 5. Maddy Brancatisano
F: 8. Courtney Wakefield, 24. Tayla Stahl
Foll: 11. Alice Edmonds, 1. Sophie Molan, 4. Monique Conti
I/C: 26. Ciara Fitzgerald, 9. Hannah Burchell, 10. Kodi Jacques, 13. Alana Woodward, 2. Nekaela Butler
Emg: 17. Ella Wood, 12. Laura Bailey
In: Courtney Wakefield, Alana Woodward, Nekaela Butler, Ciara Fitzgerald, Iilish Ross
Out: Laura McClelland (suspension), Lauren Tesoriero (illness), Sarah Sansonetti (rested), Ella Wood (omitted), Laura Bailey (omitted)
