2020 Richmond Football Club season

The 2020 season was the 113th season in which the Richmond Football Club has participated in the VFL/AFL and the first season in which it participated in the AFL Women's competition.

Richmond Football Club
2020 season
PresidentPeggy O'Neal
(7th season)
CoachAFL: Damien Hardwick
(11th season)
AFLW: Tom Hunter
(1st season)
Captain(s)AFL: Trent Cotchin
(8th season)
AFLW: Katie Brennan
(1st season)
Home groundAFL: MCG
AFLW: Princes Park
Pre-seasonAFL: (0-2)
AFLW: DNP
AFL seasonAFL: 3rd (12-1-4)
AFLW: (0-6)
AFL finalsAFL: 1st
AFLW: DNP
Best & fairestAFL: Jayden Short
AFLW: Monique Conti
Leading goalkickerAFL: Jack Riewoldt
(33)
AFLW: Courtney Wakefield
(4)
Highest home attendanceAFLW: 15,337
(Round 1 vs. Carlton)
Lowest home attendanceAFLW: 3,697
(Round 3 vs. North Melbourne)
Average home attendanceAFLW: 9,517
Club membership100,420[1]

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic

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The 2020 season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which was formally declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020, eight days prior to the scheduled start of the AFL premiership season and 18 days prior to the final round of the AFL season.

Prior to the commencement of the season, the fixture was shortened from 22 matches per team to 17, under the expectation that matches would be forced to stop at the peak of the disease.[2]

The season commenced on 19 March as originally scheduled, but the introduction of restrictions (and later of formal quarantines) on interstate travel, resulted in suspension of the season after round one.[3] During that round, matches were played in empty stadiums for the first time in the league's history.[4]

Throughout the season, matches were played for a shortened length of 16 minutes plus time on per quarter, instead of 20 minutes plus time on. This was originally done at the start of the season, in the hope that playing shorter games could facilitate more frequent games than weekly, maximising the games which could be played before the anticipated suspension of the season.[5] Though the initial run of games lasted just one week, the shortened game time was retained after the season's resumption to allow make-up games to be more easily scheduled between rounds when matches were postponed or refixtured.[6]

On 15 May, as most states began easing restrictions, the league's plan to resume the season was announced: clubs began non-contact training from 18 May, and full contact training from 25 May, ahead of resuming competitive matches from 11 June, with the revised fixture released gradually throughout the year, and changing regularly and often at short notice when the situation forced it.[7]

The sizes of allowable crowds changed as the season progressed, with early season Queensland and New South Wales crowds limited to only a few hundred, while half crowds were allowed in the largely virus-free Western Australia from Round 7.

Following a virus outbreak in Melbourne in June, Richmond's base of operations was relocated to the Gold Coast, alongside eight other Victorian clubs.[8] The club played the remainder of their home games in the state, other than when travelling to other virus-free locations.

AFLW

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In the AFLW, all matches played from 14 March onwards were played to empty stadiums.[9] The final two rounds of the home-and-away season were scratched and though Richmond did not qualify, the finals series was brought forward by two weeks and cancelled without a premier being awarded after just four finals matches were played.[10]

VFL and VFLW

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The final weeks of the VFL pre-season series and the commencement of the season-proper were delayed in March due to the greater risk of external threats in the semi-professional state league environment.[11] Eventually, all AFL clubs withdrew from the competition and the season was cancelled in June. Richmond reserves players participated in ad hoc scratch matches against other clubs during the season and on occasion played in multi-club teams alongside rival players.[12] The VFLW season was likewise delayed and eventually cancelled.

2019 off-season list changes

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Retirements and delistings

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Player Reason Club games Career games Ref
Alex Rance Retired 200 200 [13]
Shaun Grigg Retired 171 214 [14]
Mav Weller Retired 2 123 [15]
Connor Menadue Delisted 39 39 [16]
Jacob Townsend Delisted 20 48 [16]
Callum Moore Delisted 8 8 [16]

Free agency

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Date Player Free agent type Former club New club Compensation Ref
5 October Brandon Ellis Restricted Richmond Gold Coast 2nd round [17]

Trades

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Date Gained Lost Trade partner Ref
16 October Pick 56 Dan Butler St Kilda [18]

National draft

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Round Overall pick Player State Position Team from League from Ref
1 21 Thomson Dow VIC Midfielder Bendigo Pioneers NAB League [19][20]
2 43 Noah Cumberland QLD Forward Brisbane Lions academy NEAFL [21]
2 44 Will Martyn QLD Midfielder/Wing Brisbane Lions academy NEAFL [22]
3 46 Hugo Ralphsmith VIC Wing/Forward Sandringham Dragons NAB League [23]
3 54 Bigoa Nyuon VIC Defender Dandenong Stingrays NAB League [24]

2020 squad

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Senior list Rookie list Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  • (B) Category B rookie
  • italics - Inactive player list
  •   Long-term injury
  • (ret.) Retired

Updated: 17 December 2020
Source(s): Senior list, Rookie list, Coaching staff


2020 season

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Match Date Score Opponent Opponent's score Result Home/away Venue Attendance
1 Sunday 1 March, 4:00pm 6.8 (44) Collingwood 13.6 (84) Lost by 40 points Home Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta -
2 Sunday 8 March, 12:40pm 14.11 (95) Greater Western Sydney 17.7 (109) Lost by 14 points Away Robertson Oval, Wagga Wagga 6,556

Home and away season

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Round Date Score Opponent Opponent's score Result Home/away Venue Attendance Ladder
1 Thursday 19 March, 7:25pm 16.9 (105) Carlton 12.9 (81) Won by 24 points Home MCG 0 6th
2 Thursday 11 June, 7:40pm 5.6 (36) Collingwood 5.6 (36) Draw Away MCG 0 5th
3 Thursday 18 June, 7:40pm 5.9 (39) Hawthorn 11.5 (71) Lost by 32 points Home MCG 0 9th
4 Saturday 27 June, 4:35pm 10.7 (67) St Kilda 15.3 (93) Lost by 26 points Away Marvel Stadium 0 14th
5 Sunday 5 July, 3:35pm 12.7 (79) Melbourne 8.4 (52) Won by 27 points Home MCG 0 11th
6 Sunday 12 July, 3:35pm 4.10 (34) Sydney 3.8 (26) Won by 8 points Home/Neutral The Gabba 3,606 6th
7 Saturday 18 July, 7:40pm 11.11 (77) North Melbourne 2.11 (23) Won by 54 points Home/Neutral Metricon Stadium 4,337 4th
8 Friday 24 July, 7:50pm 6.14 (50) Greater Western Sydney 9.8 (62) Lost by 12 points Away GIANTS Stadium 5,500 9th
9 Wednesday 29 July, 7:10pm 13.12 (90) Western Bulldogs 7.7 (49) Won by 41 points Away/Neutral Metricon Stadium 2,824 5th
10 Tuesday 4 August, 7:10pm 12.10 (82) Brisbane Lions 4.17 (41) Won by 41 points Home/Neutral Metricon Stadium 5,651 4th
11 Saturday 8 August, 4:35pm 11.6 (72) Port Adelaide 13.15 (93) Lost by 21 points Away Adelaide Oval 10,256 6th
12 Monday 17 August, 7:10pm 8.5 (53) Gold Coast 4.8 (32) Won by 21 points Home/Neutral The Gabba 4,062 6th
13 Saturday 22 August, 7:40pm 10.13 (73) Essendon 10.1 (61) Won by 12 points Away/Neutral TIO Stadium 5,401 5th
14 Thursday 27 August, 7:10pm 14.4 (88) West Coast 9.7 (61) Won by 27 points Home/Neutral Metricon Stadium 3,628 4th
15 Wednesday 2 September, 7:10pm 8.8 (56) Fremantle 4.5 (29) Won by 27 points Home/Neutral Metricon Stadium 1,818 3rd
16 BYE 4th
17 Friday 11 September, 7:50pm 7.15 (57) Geelong 4.7 (31) Won by 26 points Away/Neutral Metricon Stadium 7,061 3rd
18 Saturday 19 September, 5:10pm 12.5 (77) Adelaide 4.9 (33) Won by 44 points Away Adelaide Oval 17,710 3rd

Finals

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Match Date Score Opponent Opponent's Score Result Home/Away Venue Attendance
Qualifying final Friday 2 October, 7:50pm 8.6 (54) Brisbane Lions 10.9 (69) Lost by 15 points Away The Gabba 22,104
Semi-final Friday 9 October, 6:50pm 12.8 (80) St Kilda 6.13 (49) Won by 31 points Home/Neutral Metricon Stadium 13,778
Preliminary final Friday 16 October, 7:20pm 6.10 (46) Port Adelaide 6.4 (40) Won by 6 points Away Adelaide Oval 24,292
Grand Final Saturday 24 October, 6:30pm 12.9 (81) Geelong 7.8 (50) Won by 31 points Home/Neutral The Gabba 29,707

Ladder

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Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Port Adelaide 17 14 3 0 1185 869 136.4 56 Finals series
2 Brisbane Lions 17 14 3 0 1184 948 124.9 56
3 Richmond (P) 17 12 4 1 1135 874 129.9 50
4 Geelong 17 12 5 0 1233 901 136.8 48
5 West Coast 17 12 5 0 1095 936 117.0 48
6 St Kilda 17 10 7 0 1159 997 116.2 40
7 Western Bulldogs 17 10 7 0 1103 1034 106.7 40
8 Collingwood 17 9 7 1 965 881 109.5 38
9 Melbourne 17 9 8 0 1063 986 107.8 36
10 Greater Western Sydney 17 8 9 0 1007 1053 95.6 32
11 Carlton 17 7 10 0 1017 1078 94.3 28
12 Fremantle 17 7 10 0 866 924 93.7 28
13 Essendon 17 6 10 1 938 1185 79.2 26
14 Gold Coast 17 5 11 1 996 1099 90.6 22
15 Hawthorn 17 5 12 0 1004 1194 84.1 20
16 Sydney 17 5 12 0 890 1077 82.6 20
17 North Melbourne 17 3 14 0 858 1205 71.2 12
18 Adelaide 17 3 14 0 826 1283 64.4 12
Updated to match(es) played on 21 September 2020. Source: AFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Awards

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League awards

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All-Australian team
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Player Position Appearance
Named Dustin Martin Forward pocket 4th
Nominated Dylan Grimes - -
Nominated Nick Vlastuin - -
Brownlow Medal tally
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Player 3 vote games 2 vote games 1 vote games Total votes Place
Dustin Martin 3 2 2 15 5th
Shai Bolton 3 0 0 9 26th
Kane Lambert 2 0 0 6 43rd
Trent Cotchin 1 1 0 5 55th
Jack Graham 1 0 0 3 86th
Dion Prestia 1 0 0 3 86th
Jayden Short 0 1 1 3 86th
Liam Baker 0 1 1 3 86th
Jack Riewoldt 0 1 0 2 117th
Derek Eggmolesse-Smith 0 1 0 2 117th
Shane Edwards 0 0 1 1 157th
Jake Aarts 0 0 1 1 157th
Bachar Houli 0 0 1 1 157th
Nick Vlastuin 0 0 1 1 157th
Noah Balta 0 0 1 1 157th
Total 11 7 9 56 -

[25]

22 Under 22 team
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Player Position Appearance
Named Noah Balta Centre half-back 1st
Named Liam Baker Half-back 1st
Nominated Shai Bolton

Club awards

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Jack Dyer Medal
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Position Player Votes Medal
1st Jayden Short 53 Jack Dyer Medal
2nd Dustin Martin 50 Jack Titus Medal
3rd Nick Vlastuin 49 Maurie Fleming Medal
4th Shai Bolton 44 Fred Swift Medal
5th Kamdyn McIntosh 43 Kevin Bartlett Medal
6th Liam Baker 42
7th Dylan Grimes 41
8th Noah Balta 40
9th Kane Lambert 39
10th Trent Cotchin 37
Source:[26]
Michael Roach Medal
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Position Player Goals
1st Jack Riewoldt 33
2nd Tom Lynch 32
3rd Dustin Martin 22
4th Jason Castagna 17
5th Shai Bolton 15
Source:[27]

AFL Women's

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List building and recruitment

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Expansion signings

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Date Player Club from League from Ref
9 April Katie Brennan Western Bulldogs AFL Women's [28]
12 April Maddy Brancatisano Melbourne AFL Women's [29]
Phoebe Monahan Greater Western Sydney
Iilish Ross Collingwood
15 April Christina Bernardi Greater Western Sydney AFL Women's [30]

Trades

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Date Gained Lost Trade partner Ref
16 April Sabrina Frederick Pick 12 Brisbane [31]
24 April Monique Conti Pick 1 Western Bulldogs [32]

Academy/VFLW pre-list signings

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Date Player Club from League from Classification Ref
30 April Hannah Burchell Geelong AFL Women's Delisted free agent [33]
16 May Courtney Wakefield Richmond VFL Women's Open-age [34]
21 May Tayla Stahl Richmond VFL Women's Open-age [35]
20 June Alice Edmonds Richmond VFL Women's Open-age [36]
23 July Grace Campbell Richmond VFL Women's Open-age [37]
Akec Makur Chuot
Rebecca Miller
Gabby Seymour Rookie
16 August Kodi Jacques Richmond VFL Women's Open-age [38]
6 September Alana Woodward Richmond VFL Women's Open-age [39]

National draft

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Round Overall pick Player Position Team from League from Ref
1 7 Sophie Molan Midfielder GWV Rebels NAB League [40]
2 25 Laura McClelland Defender Eastern Ranges NAB League [40]
2 31 Ella Wood Midfielder GWV Rebels NAB League [40]
2 40 Sarah Sansonetti Half-back Northern Knights NAB League [40]
3 43 Holly Whitford Midfielder Melbourne University VFL Women's [40]
3 55 Nekaela Butler Small defender GWV Rebels NAB League [40]
4 58 Cleo Saxon-Jones Ruck / forward Western Jets NAB League [40]
4 71 Laura Bailey Defender Richmond VFL Women's [40]
5 73 Emma Horne Midfielder Richmond VFL Women's [40]
5 84 Kate Dempsey Defender Richmond VFL Women's [40]
6 87 Ciara Fitzgerald Defender Northern Knights NAB League [40]
6 93 Emily Harley Forward Oakleigh Chargers NAB League [40]
6 96 Lauren Tesoriero Midfielder Richmond VFL Women's [40]

2020 squad

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Senior list Rookie list Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

  • Jacob Thompson (midfield)
  • Jason Armistead (forwards)
  • Sam Shaw (backline)
  • Nathan Chapman (specialist/skills)
  • Liz Quinn (culture and leadership)

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)



2020 season

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Home and away season

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Note: The final two rounds of the season were cancelled to bring forward the finals series in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Round Date Score Opponent Opponent's score Result Home/away Venue Attendance Conference ladder
(of 7)
1 Friday 7 February, 7:45pm 2.2 (14) Carlton 6.12 (48) Lost by 34 points Home Ikon Park 15,337 7th
2 Saturday 15 February, 4:10pm 2.10 (22) Gold Coast 5.3 (33) Lost by 11 points Away Metricon Stadium 7,071 7th
3 Sunday 23 February, 3:10pm 2.8 (20) North Melbourne 12.4 (76) Lost by 56 points Home Ikon Park 3,697 7th
4 Saturday 29 February, 3:10pm 7.3 (45) Geelong 10.7 (67) Lost by 22 points Home Queen Elizabeth Oval 4,906 7th
5 Saturday 7 March 5:10pm 1.5 (11) Greater Western Sydney 7.14 (56) Lost by 45 points Away Robertson Oval 3,377 7th
6 Saturday 14 March, 5:10pm 0.3 (3) St Kilda 6.6 (42) Lost by 39 points Away RSEA Park 0 7th
7 Friday 20 March, 5:45pm Brisbane DNP Home Ikon Park
8 Sunday 29 March, 1:10pm Adelaide DNP Away Unley Oval

Awards

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League awards

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All-Australian team
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Player Position Appearance
Nominated Monique Conti - -
22 Under 22 team
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Player Position Appearance
Named Monique Conti Wing 1st

Club awards

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Best and Fairest award
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Position Player Votes
1st Monique Conti 25
2nd Phoebe Monahan 22
3rd Gabby Seymour 18
4th Christina Bernardi 16
4th Grace Campbell 16
4th Kodi Jacques 16
7th Sabrina Frederick 15
7th Sophie Molan 15
7th Sarah Sansonetti 15
10th Alice Edmonds 14
Source:[41]
Leading goalkicker award
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Position Player Goals
1st Courtney Wakefield 4
2nd Christina Bernardi 3
2nd Sabrina Frederick 3
4th Katie Brennan 1
4th Kodi Jacques 1
4th Laura McClelland 1
4th Tayla Stahl 1
Source:[42]

VFL/VFLW seasons (cancelled)

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Richmond had been expected to field a reserves men's team in the Victorian Football League for a seventhh consecutive season, defending their 2019 premiership. In March, the AFL issued a direction to all 18 clubs mandating that no AFL-listed player at a club could participate in a second-tier state league amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and in July, the season was formally cancelled for all participant clubs.[43] Likewise, the club did not field a team in the VFL Women's competition as that season was also cancelled.[44]

References

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  1. ^ Waterworth, Ben (9 September 2020). "Tigers dethroned as Victorian giants plummet: 2020 AFL membership ladder". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Season cut to 17 games, call delayed on R1 start". afl.com.au. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  3. ^ "WATCH from 4.30pm AEDT: AFL postpones season". AFL.com.au. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  4. ^ Jon Ralph (13 March 2020). "The AFL season is in limbo with Round 1 to be played without fans". Herald Sun. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  5. ^ Damian Barrett (18 March 2020). "It's on: AFL confirms round one will go ahead". Australian Football League. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  6. ^ Jon Ralph (27 May 2020). "AFL considering expanding interchange bench for season restart". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  7. ^ Damian Barrett; Mitch Cleary (15 May 2020). "REVEALED: AFL's first day back, full-contact training, more COVID tests". Australian Football League. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Fixture rewrite: Vic clubs forced north for R6-7, return date unknown". AFL.com.au. 3 July 2020.
  9. ^ Jourdan Canil (13 March 2020). "Coronavirus crisis: What we know, what we don't". Australian Football League. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  10. ^ Sarah Black (18 March 2020). "Straight to finals: AFLW season cut short due to coronavirus". Australian Football League. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  11. ^ Riley Beveridge; Mitch Cleary (16 March 2020). "UPDATE: State league comps suspended due to corona crisis". Australian Football League. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  12. ^ Marc McGowan (3 June 2020). "Curtain-raisers back? AFL gives clubs the green light to organise scratch matches". Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  13. ^ Lerner, Ronny (19 December 2019). "Rance shocks with immediate AFL retirement". The Age. Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  14. ^ "AFL 2019: Shaun Grigg officially announces retirement midway through season". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  15. ^ Cleary, Mitch (20 September 2019). "Tough Tiger calls it quits after nine-year career across three clubs". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  16. ^ a b c "Richmond announces list changes". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
  17. ^ "Brandon Ellis officially a SUN". Gold Coast Suns FC. Telstra Media. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Butler is with St Kilda". St Kilda FC. Telstra Media. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  19. ^ "Collier-Dawkins lands at Tigerland". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  20. ^ "Dow lands at Tigerland". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Welcome to Richmond, Noah Cumberland". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  22. ^ "Martyn becomes a Tiger". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  23. ^ "Ralphsmith to Richmond". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  24. ^ "Nyuon joins Tigers". RIchmond FC. Telstra Media. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  25. ^ "Brownlow 2019". AFL Tables.
  26. ^ Greenberg, Tony (26 October 2020). "Short secures Jack Dyer Medal". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  27. ^ "2020 Player Stats". AFL Tables. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  28. ^ "Brennan becomes inaugural Richmond AFLW player". Richmond. Telstra Media. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  29. ^ "Tigers sign AFLW trio". Richmond. Telstra Media. 12 April 2019.
  30. ^ "Bernardi joins AFLW Tigers". Richmond. Telstra Media. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  31. ^ "AFLW Tigers add more star power with Frederick". Richmond. Telstra Media. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  32. ^ "Bulldogs secure AFLW top draft pick". Western Bulldogs. Telstra Media. 24 April 2019.
  33. ^ "Burchell becomes an AFLW Tiger". Richmond. Telstra Media. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  34. ^ Spiteri, Tate (16 May 2019). "Wakefield becomes ninth AFLW Tiger". Richmond. Telstra Media. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  35. ^ Wood, Lauren (21 May 2019). "Richmond signs bank robbery getaway driver to its 2020 AFLW foundation list". Herald Sun. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  36. ^ "Edmonds becomes 11th AFLW Tiger". Richmond. Telstra Media. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  37. ^ "AFLW Tigers make quartet of signings". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  38. ^ "Exciting youngster Kodi Jacques signs with AFLW Tigers". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  39. ^ Kalac, Grace (6 September 2019). "Woodward earns AFLW selection". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "AFLW draftee pocket profiles". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
  41. ^ "Conti becomes Richmond's inaugural AFLW best and fairest". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  42. ^ "Richmond WFC 2020 Season (AFL)". Australian Football. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  43. ^ Beveridge, Riley; Cleary, Mitch (16 March 2020). "UPDATE: State league comps suspended due to corona crisis". Australian Football League. Telstra Media. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  44. ^ "Future AFLW stars to showcase their talents in VFLW Super Series". womens.afl. 16 June 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
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