RICHMOND'S midfield stars put on a first-half masterclass against West Coast as the Tigers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 23-point win in the Perth heat on Saturday.

In her third game back from a calf injury, Ellie McKenzie elevated to a new level early to set up the 10.8 (68) to 7.3 (45) win in a performance that helped the Tigers' rediscover a winning formula.

And experienced teammate Monique Conti finished the job as the Tigers kicked their biggest score for the season in an entertaining and high-scoring clash.  

Conti (24 disposals and five clearances) and McKenzie (18 and three), combined for 26 contested possessions and 11 inside 50s, kickstarting an attacking game style that stunned the Eagles early.

00:59

Pure joy as Makur Chuot kicks first goal this season

Akec Makur Chuot kicks her first goal of the season after an excellent game, but her reaction is even better

Winless since the opening round of the season, there was much else for the Tigers to celebrate, with Tayla Stahl (three goals) giving them another option in attack and Katie Brennan (two goals) in great touch in stifling 34C conditions.

Meg Macdonald capped her rise as a replacement player from the VFLW to the top level, kicking her first AFLW goal from a set shot in the third quarter as the Tigers put the match beyond doubt.

EAGLES v TIGERS Full match coverage and stats

Ambushed early, the Eagles recovered to make the match somewhat competitive for three quarters but were never able to bridge the gap on the scoreboard in a meaningful way.

When former Giant Aimee Schmidt gathered and snapped on her right foot deep in the fourth quarter, the Eagles surpassed their highest score of the season but remain with just the one win for the season.

Tigers' early onslaught
The quarter time indicators for West Coast made for horrible reading after conceding four unanswered goals to start the game. It started at the contest, where the Tigers dominated contested ball (33-22) and clearances (9-5) allowing them to spread quickly and rack up disposals (65-38). Unable to generate forward opportunities in recent weeks, the Tigers went inside 50 nine times for six scoring shots, using their speed to generate clean entries and hitting their targets. With a 26-point deficit, it was a long, long way back for West Coast after just one quarter. 

00:32

Tigers open up with Stahl after big Brennan burst

Tayla Stahl kicks the opening goal of the match after Katie Brennan won the ball on the wing

Did you see that?

Conti and McKenzie both kicked classy goals on the run in the second quarter that knocked the Eagles back down just as the home team had showed some fight. McKenzie's came at a forward 50 stoppage, forcing her way through with power and snapping on her left foot. Conti's came after creating space for herself with a nifty sidestep, converting on her right foot on the run. The Eagles had twice cut the margin to three goals, but the Tigers' midfield stars answered each time.  

00:45

Eagle defence helpless to quash quick Conti

The Tigers swarm forward as Monique Conti kicks a beautiful running goal

Swanson drives Eagles' fight  

As good as Richmond's midfield duo was, West Coast captain Emma Swanson was their equal. The tough onballer ensured her team wasn't embarrassed with an incredible solo effort in the second quarter, racking up 12 disposals and a goal for the term. Her seven inside 50s for the match were a game-high, continuing a terrific season that has her sitting comfortably among the AFLW's best midfielders. Dana Hooker continued a consistent season with 24 disposals and six clearances.  

00:38

Bullas rips it out and snaps it through

Hayley Bullas pulls the ball out of the ruck to get a much needed goal for the Eagles

Say what?

"They've been brilliant. We've been so confident in what we've been doing and we're still so confident that we're improving. We've been thrown lots of different challenges and we’ve been really united. The ability to absorb some losses and stick the course and get some reward, it's important." – Richmond coach Ryan Ferguson 

"We've got to look at our warm-up and what we're doing. And I said to the girls, they've got to look at what they're doing pre-game and take ownership of their preparation as well. [The slow starts are] a massive concern for us. The other thing that didn't help us today was the free kicks we gave away in our defensive 50. We gave them five goals from free kicks." – West Coast coach Michael Prior  

WEST COAST        0.0   2.2   4.2   7.3    (45)
RICHMOND          4.2   6.5   8.7   10.8   (68)   

GOALS
West Coast: Schmidt 3, Swanson 2, Bullas, Gibson  
Richmond: Stahl 3, Brennan 2, McKenzie, Conti, Bernardi, Macdonald, Makur Chuot

BEST
West Coast: Swanson, Hooker, Schmidt, Bowen
Richmond: Conti, McKenzie, Stahl, Brennan, Lavey, Seymour

INJURIES
West Coast: Collier (ankle)
Richmond: Nil  

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 878 at Mineral Resources Park

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