RICHMOND AFLW coach Tom Hunter will urge his side to play with more freedom as the Tigers aim to notch their first win in the national competition in Bendigo on Saturday.
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The Tigers clash at the QEO against Geelong will pit a pair of sides without a victory this season.
Although Hunter is expecting a tough challenge against the Cats, whose three losses this season have been against respective conference leaders Fremantle (3-0) and Brisbane (2-0-1) and reigning premiers Adelaide (2-1), his message to players this week has focused on enjoyment and positivity.
"It's about extending our patches of play and doing the things that we want to do for a little bit longer," Hunter said.
"This week the focus will be just to play and do the things you are good at.
"All these girls have been given the opportunity to play AFLW because they bring something special and something unique in their strengths, so we just want to see them at their best.
"If we get more of our girls doing the things they are really good at collectively, the way we play will change and we will be in the game that little bit longer."
Hunter acknowledged it would be a big occasion for homegrown Tigers Kodi Jacques and Grace Campbell and was pleased with what each of the former Bendigonians brought to the Tigers line-up.
"They certainly bring a hard-edge," he said.
"Grace is so good in the contest, with her ability to defend an opponent or tackle, or win the ball. She is almost unlike anyone else in the AFLW the way she attacks the contest.
"Kodi again is that hard-edge around the contest, but with finesse and some great skills. She is real classy player with the ball in hands.
"We want her to be getting the ball on the outside and kicking it to our forward's advantage, and we want her getting the ball off Cambo in the middle."
As one of four expansion clubs this season, Hunter acknowledged his side was a work in progress, but was nevertheless pleased with the development so far.
"We're the youngest side in the AFLW - we drafted nine girls from the NAB league, so we are well aware of where we are," he said.
"While the expectations are coming externally, internally we know what we need to do and what success looks like for us.
"The first part of it will be winning quarters, and then winning halves and games, but we think we are building nicely and trending in the right direction."
Hunter gave full backing to the move to play an AFLW fixture in Bendigo.
"We have good record there through the VFLW and its part of our Next Generation Academy region, so we can't wait to get up there," he said.
"We love playing at the ground - such a picturesque ground to play on, but one we play really well.
"We look forward to playing in front of what we hope is a fantastic turnout of Tiger supporters."
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