Richmond AFLW coach Ryan Ferguson has lauded the successful intraclub match ahead of next week's Match Simulation, namely the rapid improvement of Issy Bacon through the midfield.
Bacon, who is just 20-years-old, has made the move into the midfield early in pre-season, with her talents and ferocity already on show through Wednesday's intraclub.
It's impressed Ferguson and his coaching team, as well as Bacon's teammates
"A lot of her teammates are really excited about her no-nonsense approach to footy, her vibrancy and just getting to work on her own game, but also helping others be better and gel the midfield together," Ferguson said.
"That's an exciting venture that we've gone on in this pre-season. To see that now, each step along the way, adding the pressure and adding the layers of difficulty to that. We can't wait to try that out against an opposition.
"The way that she's applied herself this pre-season, she's winning the hearts of her teammates."
And there's plenty to love about each player who took part in the intraclub, with positive signs for Katelyn Cox, who played managed minutes on return from her ACL injury.
"It's exciting to get her back playing football again, getting into the hustle and bustle, getting physical and allowing their natural instincts to come back on show," he said.
"Katelyn Cox below her knees is just so strong, defending first and winning the ball back. It's been fantastic to see her out there."
Cox, who is 27, has also made a positional change in the pre-season, shifting to a small defender role.
"We earmarked her for a forward role last year, but this year she's looking pretty promising down back," Ferguson said.
"Another step forward, we are at the time of year where each week progresses forward with pressure.
"To actually have the full game experience, putting our game to different levels of pressure and testing it out step by step at this time of year is really exciting."
What lies ahead is an important pre-season test against Carlton next Friday night at Ikon Park, as part of the AFLW's official Match Simulation schedule.
It's another chance for Ferguson's squad to "adjust", with Round 1 just weeks away.
"The steps forward in our game, the predictability, the system, the trust that we are building. Putting that under more pressure to see where the learning moments are, what we need to adjust and continue to reinforce what we value," he said.
"When are we acknowledging when it's working, what are the gaps we need to adjust?
"You get that information step by step along the way. Next week is a different challenge all together."
Next week's Match Simulation against Carlton at Ikon Park is set for Friday 25 July at 5pm.
The following week, Richmond will take part in an official Practice Match against Hawthorn. Proceedings are scheduled on Sunday 3 August from 12pm at Ikon Park, with the team to be named the day before.
You can purchase your tickets for the 2025 season here.
