Sarah Hosking celebrates a goal during Richmond's clash against Greater Western Sydney in round two, 2024. Picture: Getty Images

RICHMOND has responded from a shock opening-round defeat to West Coast, holding off a fast-finishing Greater Western Sydney by 11 points.

Nine days after suffering a stunning loss in Daisy Pearce's first game as Eagles coach, the Tigers controlled Sunday's match at Punt Rd in windy conditions from the outset.

TIGERS v GIANTS Full match coverage and stats

But GWS launched a brave fightback from 29 points down, kicking three straight goals to give itself an outside chance of pinching victory.

Despite kicking just one goal in the second half, Richmond held on to win 5.8 (38) to 4.3 (27).

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 10:14

    AFLW Mini-Match: Richmond v GWS

    Extended highlights of the Tigers and Giants clash in week two of the 2024 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW
  • 05:35

    AFLW full post-match, WK2: Tigers

    Watch Richmond's press conference after week two’s match against GWS

    AFLW
  • 05:12

    AFLW full post-match, WK2: Giants

    Watch GWS's press conference after week two’s match against Richmond

    AFLW
  • 04:57

    AFLW Highlights: Richmond v GWS

    The Tigers and Giants clash in week two of the 2024 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW
  • 00:38

    Pauga pops up as Giants keep knocking

    GWS continues to mount a late comeback as Mikayla Pauga lands a superb goal in the final term

    AFLW
  • 00:56

    Running with Giants: Brazendale benefits

    GWS charges forward with pace and shares the footy around to set up a goal for Madison Brazendale

    AFLW
  • 00:41

    Goldsworthy gives it back to crowd after sweet shot

    GWS star Zarlie Goldsworthy strikes one perfectly and lets the Richmond faithful know all about it

    AFLW
  • 00:38

    Brilliant Brennan pulling all the strings early

    Katie Brennan looks like she’s primed for a big afternoon with a pair of strong marks to go alongside an assist in the first term

    AFLW

The Giants dominated after half-time, but their slow start cost them any chance of going 2-0 to back up last week's demolition of the hapless Western Bulldogs.

Captain Katie Brennan set the tone with an imposing first quarter, while Sarah Hosking capitalised up forward with two goals.

04:57

AFLW Highlights: Richmond v GWS

The Tigers and Giants clash in week two of the 2024 NAB AFLW Season

"GWS are a great team. They love to use the footy through the corridor," Brennan told the Seven Network. 

"Really proud of our group to be able to stop that, stem the flow and also come out firing, which was a bit of a focus for us off the back of last week.

00:41

Goldsworthy gives it back to crowd after sweet shot

GWS star Zarlie Goldsworthy strikes one perfectly and lets the Richmond faithful know all about it

"We were all just ready to start our engines, make sure we started really fast. 

"I thought it was a super effort from all our girls."

GWS had the four leading disposal winners on the ground, headlined by Alyce Parker's 26.

00:56

Running with Giants: Brazendale benefits

GWS charges forward with pace and shares the footy around to set up a goal for Madison Brazendale

Tigers superstar Monique Conti had a quieter game than her usual lofty standards with 18 disposals, matched by teammates Ellie McKenzie and Grace Egan.

Brilliant Brennan sets early tone
The Tigers set up their win with a strong first half and much of it was thanks to a dominant first quarter from Katie Brennan. Brennan had six kicks, four marks and a tackle in the opening term. The Giants managed to slow her down, but Brennan played an important role in setting up the Tigers' win.  

00:38

Brilliant Brennan pulling all the strings early

Katie Brennan looks like she’s primed for a big afternoon with a pair of strong marks to go alongside an assist in the first term

Up next
The Tigers have a tricky trip to take on Sydney in Coffs Harbour at 12.35pm AEST on Saturday. The Giants are playing in the final game of week three, hosting Gold Coast at Manuka Oval on Sunday.

RICHMOND                                      2.3     4.6     5.6     5.8 (38)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY          0.1     1.1     3.2     4.3 (27)

GOALS
Richmond: Hosking 2, Greiser, Dempsey, Yassir
Greater Western Sydney: Goldsworthy, Eva, Brazendale, Pauga

BEST 
Richmond: Brennan, McKenzie, Conti, Egan, Graham, Hosking
Greater Western Sydney: Goldsworthy, Parker, O'Dowd, Barr, Beeson

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Richmond: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Jessica Doyle (illness) replaced in selected side by Courtney Murphy

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 997 at Swinburne Centre