A FOUR goals to one third quarter was ultimately the difference between Sydney and Richmond in the opening round clash of the AFL Women’s on Friday night. After a tough “armwrestle” for the first half where the Swans lead by just nine points, Sydney punished some mistakes from the Richmond attack, resulting in either behinds for the Tigers, or turnovers and goals up the other end.

Richmond coach Ryan Ferguson said in particular the second half of the third term was the most damaging, with the game in the balance even after Sydney had kicked its first goal of the quarter.

“We just made some really poor decisions in attack and it really allowed them to catapult back on turnover,” he said. “I thought our attack hurt our defence for a patch there early in the third.

“A lot of the rest of the game was still a strong armwrestle, but I thought we just lost our nerve a little bit after that and started to get away from our game and that allowed them to get even more ascendancy so reset at three quarter time and came out strong in the fourth, but that backend of the third.”

Sydney mentor Scott Gowans said it was his players’ ability to “compete for four quarters” that helped them get over the line with Richmond taking charge in the home straight during the fourth quarter.

“I know Richmond got momentum in the last quarter, but we were able to cope with it and we were able to keep our shape and we didn’t pile numbers behind the ball and do all those things,” he said. “We just played footy, and they’re a good side Richmond, they played finals last year, and at times, you’ve just got to play footy in hard moments and that’s what got us the game.”

Gowans said it was a promising start, and while there was plenty of work to do, he was proud of how his side was able to lift when challenged.

“I think it’s a great start to the season, it’s step one for us and it’s a tick and with a bit of work to do as well on some things and that’s the best thing,” he said. “If you win and you’ve given your best, it’s just different winning and then having a lot to improve and I thought Richmond really took the game up to us, their contested stuff was so good. “But we lifted, and that’s what good sides do and we just need to do it consistently.”

The Swans struggled to get going last season after finals in their second season of 2023, largely brought on by a number of injuries including to Chloe Molloy and Ally Morphett. Molloy, who returned for her first game back from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, booted 4.2 from 14 disposals and five marks, while Morphett influence in the ruck with 20 hitouts from 12 disposals.

Molloy joined Gowans in the post-match press conference with the coach heaping praise on his star forward.

“Chloe obviously makes a massive difference, and I’m not just saying it because she’s standing here, but she’s a superstar and I’ve always said that she’s the best female footballer I’ve seen so I’m going to stick with that,” he said. “Tonight showed me why I believe that, and I think it makes a massive difference.

“Ally Morphett huge game in the ruck, just gave us first use. “Montana Ham fit makes a big difference, you can go on. “Then the new additions and we just didn’t know if the new additions would blend in so well so early, but it’s a credit to the leadership at the club, they’ve done a lot off-field to get that connection and that translated to the on-field which is very pleasing.”

Sydney heads north to take on Gold Coast at People First Stadium next Saturday afternoon, while Richmond will lick its wounds before facing Western Bulldogs at Ikon Park on Sunday.