The AFLW Sign and Trade Period has now come to a close, with Richmond welcoming three exciting Tigers and 22 players signing on for 2022.
Bookended by the very first and last trades, it was a busy start and finish to the Period for Richmond.
The Tigers' first recruit was Maddie Shevlin on day one, as the utility crossed over from Collingwood in a trade that saw Sabrina Frederick depart the Club.
Head of Women’s Football Kate Sheahan said gaining Shevlin filled Richmond’s need for a rebounding defender.
"She was quite a sought-after prospect in the industry because everyone could see there was a skillful, athletic, beautiful user of the ball sitting on Collingwood’s list and due to their strength down back, it was really hard for her to break in," Sheahan said.
"The opportunity to get game time at our Club and really play a significant role in our backline, and a role she can really make her own, was the thing at the end of the day that got her over the line."
Next to join Richmond was ruck Poppy Kelly, who came across from St Kilda where she was an inaugural AFLW player.
Sheahan said the "sky’s the limit" for the athletic youngster.
"Poppy’s incredibly raw...We just really thought to ourselves 'wow this girl’s got a lot of upside'," Sheahan said.
"She’s new to the game but athletically very gifted, tall, with pretty good ruck craft for someone who hasn’t played a lot of football.
"For us, what stood out when we really analysed her game was her ability to compete in the contest aerially when we were in a situation where we needed that option long down the line."
On the final day, and minutes, of the Sign and Trade period, Jess Hosking became a Tiger.
After what could only be described as a "whirlwind 24 hours", Sheahan was "incredibly thrilled" when the trade with Carlton went through.
"It went down to the wire," Sheahan said.
"We think this is an amazing acquisition for our backline, but Jess has the capacity to play in multiple roles. We’ve seen with Carlton this year that she was really good inside for them when she would rotate through the midfield, and she played a fair bit of midfield as well, and has been a staple in their backline over the years.
"(It provides) a lot of variety for Jess, and our team overall, which just continues to add to the depth of our 30."
Sheahan said the commitment from the 22 Tigers who have re-signed with the Club showed "really terrific connection and team awareness".
"We're thrilled to be able to retain the talent at the footy club and extend some of our girls who were inaugural AFLW players for our team," Sheahan said.
"There's a lot to look forward to for the AFLW Tiger girls."
The Tigers now turn their attention towards next month’s AFLW draft, where they will look to build on their youth with a strong hand of picks 5, 16, 55 and 57.
"It’s a fantastic opportunity for us," said Sheahan.
"Pick five nationally (is) pick three in Victoria, so we’ll have the third-best (Victorian) pick in the draft.
"Our recruiter Trent Mosbey has done a power of work in identifying the best young talent in Victoria and around the country. We’re really scouring the draft at the moment to find what we want and what’s available."
