While the results of Richmond's 2026 AFLW season will read somewhat unevenly, a 4-2 start followed by a five-game losing streak heading into the final weekend of the campaign, there's undoubtedly been significant steps forward taken by the Tigers this year.

A foundation for future success has been laid, with young stars shining in key positions, internal improvement and a modern game style being implemented by new coach Jarrad Donders. 

That formula almost resulted in what would have been a thrilling win over the fourth-place Gold Coast last Saturday, a late Richmond charge falling just short in a 8.6 (54) to 7.8 (50) defeat. 

Donders and the team are never satisfied with losing, and know there's plenty of work ahead, but noted their performance against the Suns was one that showcased plenty of positives.

"We're always frustrated if we don't win but we are in a stage of progress and learning with our group," Donders said.

"Wanting to continue to improve in the areas that we are after. We've got some subjective measures that we just reviewed, can't doubt the effort and the fight of the team the whole way through the game. 

"It was nice to be able to hit some of our KPIs that we're chasing but still some work to do."

Momentum swings were a theme of the Round 11 contest, the Tigers responding to conceding the first two goals with three of their own. In the last quarter, Richmond booted the final two goals of the game to almost steal the four points, after it looked like Gold Coast were set to run away with a comfortable win, as the home side kicked six of the first seven majors in the second half.

Donders praised the mental fortitude his players applied to not stop believing, even when the scoreboard threatened to blow out. 

"It's nice to be able to fightback. To be able to absorb momentum and then come back at them the other way with our own, is something we are striving for," Donders said.

"Obviously that sits outside the way we want to play but I thought the players were able to get themselves back into a rhythm of the way we want to play, defence, attack, really proud of the group and their effort in the way we finished off the game against a top-four side."

A mighty challenge awaits the Tigers in the last game of the year, a date with the back-to-back reigning premiers North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon at Windy Hill.

Key defender and leadership member Rebecca Miller, who has hit strong form over the past fortnight, has highlighted pressure as the key if Richmond wants to cause an upset to end the season.

"The pressure's going to be the first one, I think if we can put on the pressure, then we'll be able to use the ball our way and get it going forward," Miller said. 

"They're a quality outfit and they'll be bringing their best heading into finals, so exciting way for us to finish the season, so bring it on."