Club: Richmond

Coach: Ryan Ferguson

Captain: Katie Brennan

2021 best and fairest: Monique Conti

Tigers star Monique Conti. Picture: AFL Photos

2021 in a nutshell: The 2021 season was one of marked improvement for Richmond. A series of frustrating losses was punctuated by a breakthrough win in round five, the first for new coach Ryan Ferguson and for the AFLW program itself, 1.5 seasons in. Finishing in 10th with three wins, the Tigers were the best performing of the expansion sides. Courtney Wakefield was a rock at full-forward, No.1 pick Ellie McKenzie showed her class and skipper Katie Brennan finally got some consistent footy under her belt. The addition of Harriet Cordner was key in settling the backline. In short, a much better season from the Tigers, but still some way off the top eight or so teams.

Full squad: Christina Bernardi, Maddy Brancatisano, Katie Brennan, Hannah Burchell, Monique Conti, Harriet Cordner, Sarah D'Arcy, Sarah Dargan, Kate Dempsey, Jess Hosking, Sarah Hosking, Ingrid Houtsma, Kodi Jacques, Poppy Kelly, Meagan Kiely, Tessa Lavey, Akec Makur Chuot, Laura McClelland, Ellie McKenzie, Hannah McLaren, Rebecca Miller, Sophie Molan, Stella Reid, Iilish Ross, Sarah Sansonetti, Gabby Seymour, Maddie Shevlin, Tayla Stahl, Courtney Wakefield, Emelia Yassir

Recruits: Jess Hosking, Poppy Kelly, Maddie Shevlin

02:35

'I didn't realise I was so dependent on playing with her': Jess on twin Sarah

Tigers recruit Jess Hosking discusses her last-minute trade from the Blues

Draftees: Ingrid Houtsma, Meagan Kiely, Stella Reid, Emelia Yassir, Akec Makur Chuot (re-listed)

Out: Sabrina Frederick (Collingwood), Emily Harley, Luka Lesosky-Hay, Akec Makur Chuot, Cleo Saxon-Jones, Holly Whitford, (delisted), Alice Edmonds (delisted, then Western Bulldogs), Phoebe Monahan (delisted, then Brisbane), Alana Woodward (delisted, then St Kilda)

2022 opponents: St Kilda (A), Melbourne (H), Fremantle (H), Gold Coast (A), Western Bulldogs (A), North Melbourne (H), West Coast (A), Geelong (H), Greater Western Sydney (A), Brisbane (H)

2022 FIXTURE Every match, every round

Circle it: The Western Bulldogs beat Richmond by 13 points in the final round of 2021, and as another building team on the rise, will be a good yardstick as to the Tigers' improvement. They meet at VU Whitten Oval in round five.

Player to watch: Recruit Poppy Kelly didn't get a heap of game-time at St Kilda, but is expected to be a regular at Richmond after the departure of Sabrina Frederick. She's tall, agile and strong overhead.

Tiger Poppy Kelly at training on November 8, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

Best NAB AFLW Rising Star chance: Stella Reid 

2022 prediction: The Tigers have been blessed with a relatively straightforward draw, facing fellow expansion clubs Gold Coast, St Kilda and West Coast, as well as fellow bottom-eight sides Geelong, GWS and the Bulldogs. Jess Hosking was an unexpected boon during the Trade Period, while draftees Reid, Emelia Yassir and Meagan Kiely should be able to play from round one. Star midfielder Monique Conti is completing her first full pre-season, taking a break from WNBL, while the team has had another year to settle into Ferguson's gameplan. If the Tigers' linear improvement continues, expect to see them in the top few sides of the bottom eight.