AFTER some promising signs at times in the 2022 AFL Women’s season, Richmond will be hoping for further progression in Season 7, having picked up three players through the AFL Women’s Draft. Not many could have predicted the way the Tigers would go, given they selected an incredible talent with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, a 29-year-old rebounding defender from the AFL Sydney competition, and an experienced state league utility who spent time on North Melbourne’s AFLW list.

SELECTIONS:

#38 Charley Ryan (Dandenong Stingrays)
#58 Eilish Sheerin (Inner West Magpies)
#60 Katelyn Cox (Hawthorn VFLW)

KEY THEME:

Speed and competitiveness. The Tigers picked up two readymade mature-age players who have some great athleticism, and a high level of competitiveness wherever they play. Sheerin might not be a familiar name, but she has represented the Inner West Magpies out of AFL Sydney, and provides some nice run and carry. Ryan does the same out of the midfield, albeit will not be able to do it in Season 7 due to her ACL injury. Having rolled between the midfield – both inside and outside – and up forward – where she slotted five goals in a game against Gippsland Power – Ryan has some incredible upside and will be a very exciting player for Tigers fans in 2023 and beyond.

WHERE THEY FIT:

Able to compete against opponents both tall and small, Sheerin fits a need to play in that defence. Cox is one who is known to most around the traps, having forged a consistent VFLW career and earning her chance as an injury replacement player for North Melbourne last year. Stepping up in a new role in defence, Cox shone for Hawthorn’s VFLW outfit averaging 12.8 disposals, 2.4 marks and 4.0 tackles.

Without a doubt if Ryan reaches the heights she had prior to her ACL injury, the Dandenong Stingrays and Vic Country representative is the steal of the Victorian pool. The fact the incredibly talented midfielder/forward injured herself would have made a number of clubs wary, but Ryan is quality and class, making her a clear first round talent, and Top 10 in the Victorian draft pool.

OVERALL:

Richmond had a small AFLW Draft hand in 2022, with just the three players selected. The Tigers will add another player to the list to replace Ryan for Season 7 which will be announced prior to the season, with the yellow and black hoping to be more competitive again. Though the yellow and black faithful will have to wait a season to see Ryan in action, she will be worth the wait, with her combination of skill and athleticism hard to find.