OVER recent off seasons Richmond has done well to add some real depth to its list, particularly through the middle of the ground.

That depth, as season six began to show, allows coach Ryan Ferguson to play captain Katie Brennan almost solely in attack and reap the benefits of her consistency in front of goal.

B: R.Miller L.Graham
HB: J.Hosking  B.Lynch  S.D'Arcy
C: E.McKenzie  G.Egan  T.Lavey
HF: K.Brennan  M.Kiely  E.Yassir
F:  C.Wakefield  S.Williams
Foll: G.Seymour  M.Conti  S.Hosking
I/C: M.Shevlin P. Kelly  K.Dempsey M.Brancatisano S.Reid

Emerg:  L.McClelland S Molan

Richmond players celebrate victory over GWS in R9, 2022. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

Changes from last season

Above all, the loss of Harriet Cordner to an ACL injury was the hardest hit to Richmond last season. Ideally, the Tigers would have been able to use Gabby Seymour through that backline more, but ruck recruit Poppy Kelly battled her own knee issues meaning Seymour was required through the ruck. Bringing in Libby Graham to settle that defensive line in the meantime will certainly help, so too will the development of Rebecca Miller.

Grace Egan is another classy midfielder to play alongside Monique Conti and Ellie McKenzie while Sarah Hosking will continue to offer a level of toughness around the ball.

Up forward Megan Kiely and Emelia Yassir have really stamped their authority after their first season, and fellow small forward Stephanie Williams has been added to bring a sense of unpredictability for opposition defences.

Grace Egan in action during the Blues-Giants clash in round eight on February 27, 2022. Picture: Getty Images

In the mix

New recruit Jemima Woods sits just outside of the current forward mix, the likely replacement should any of Courtney Wakefield, Williams, Stella Reid or Brennan become unavailable.

Sophie Molan, Kodi Jacques and Meg MacDonald have all been pushed down the pecking order a little purely due to Egan and Maddy Brancatisano's two-way running and ball winning ability.

Rookie Saraid Taylor will develop her ruck and defensive skills behind Miller and Graham, and Seymour and Kelly, while defensive duo Katelyn Cox and Eilish Sheerin all offer plenty of rebound out of the backline so will no doubt be pushing for spots currently earmarked for Bethany Lynch and Jess Hosking.