Following a fruitless first season, Richmond managed to offer their army of fans some joy across the back half of 2021 when they finally broke through to taste victory.
While the senses of success never lingered for too long, appetites, both on and off-field, were whet ahead of the expansion side's third sprint of fixtures.
Though recent form suggests the AFLW Tigers are not yet ready to replicate the dynastical deeds of 'Dusty', 'Cotch' and company, hopes will be high that 2022 can produce another season of progression at the Swinburne Centre.
2021 recap
Like Yazz in the late 80s, the only way was up for Richmond after a winless debut campaign in 2020.
Although a first finals appearance remained outside of the Tigers' claws during their sophomore season, Ryan Ferguson's charges proved able to triple their win rate from the year prior.
While respective victories against the Cats, Suns and Eagles saw the Punt Road side round out the year as the strongest of the most recent expansion teams, a sextet of defeats against the competition's contenders was enough to have Richmond well beneath the cut off for the six.
Despite proving able to claim each of their wins by an average of 23-points, the Tigers' losing mean of more than four goals also shows that there is plenty of bush left to bash along the road towards premiership glory.
Off-season moves
Fresh off demolishing a 1.2kg Parma in less than 20-minutes, Jess Hosking reunited with her twin sister Sarah after walking from Princes Park during the 11th hour of the trade period.
Though the pair have already played together during their shared stint as Blues, this summer marks the first occasion the identical blondes will be clad in yellow and black since their days with the Seaford Football Club.
While Ferguson will no longer be able to call on the services of Sabrina Frederick after the key forward joined Collingwood during the break, the acquisition of hybrid tall Poppy Kelly from the Saints should go some way to plugging the gap.
Recruits: Jess Hosking (Carlton), Poppy Kelly (St Kilda), Maddie Shevlin (Collingwood).
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).
Strengths and weaknesses
As previously mentioned, the Tigers' inability to defeat teams residing in the ladder's upper echelons is still a cause for concern.
However, with a burgeoning midfield that now contains both Hosking sisters, the precociously talented Ellie McKenzie and dual All-Australian Monique Conti, Richmond appears a match for most engine rooms throughout the league.
Still, the loss of Frederick to the other side of Swan Street will mean that the well-travelled Courtney Wakefield will be left carrying more weight within an offensive unit that averaged less than five goals per week last season.
Should hopes be held for this figure to skyrocket this season, plenty will also be placed at the feet of skipper Katie Brennan to repeat her recently ameliorated output.
Given Richmond was also unable to stymy sides from slotting a par score of six majors, the screws inside the defensive arc will also require tightening.
Season summary
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).
Defining period
While two-fold, Richmond's aims for their third season are exceptionally straightforward.
If a spot in the six is to be secured by the time autumn has arrived, the Tigers will need to continue besting sides below them on the ladder, as well as begin taking points from those with their sights set on the flag.
Richmond's run between Rounds 2 and 6 will have them facing stiff competition in the form of the Demons, Dockers, Bulldogs and Kangaroos, but if they are able to win decisions across this stretch, yet another rise up the rungs is well within reach.
Fervent Tiger fanatics will also see clashes against St Kilda, Gold Coast, West Coast, Geelong and Greater Western Sydney as prime opportunities to bank valuable points ahead of March.
Predictions
While a perfect squad balance is still yet to be found at Tigerland, the mere fact that Richmond's roster contains a litany of known quantities will be enough to have opposition sides wary.
The many winnable contests that bookend their schedule should also see provide another campaign of consolidation.
But if their track record against the competition's heavyweights remains one-sided, the Tigers' elevation from an expansion tomato can will be delayed for another off-season yet.
Cameron Grimes: 10th
Danielle Sorati: 9th
Ed Carmine: 11th
Jake Benoiton: 12th
Michael Georgiou: 10th
Mitch Keating: 9th
Niesha Happell: 11th
