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Tigers women soak up flag knowledge

3 minute read

Richmond's new AFLW players are soaking up hints and tips from their AFL flag-winning clubmates.

Richmond AFLW utility Akec Makur Chuot has urged her teammates to seize the opportunity to learn from football's best ahead of their inaugural season in the expanded competition.

The Tigers, led by coach Tom Hunter, took their preparation up a level on Tuesday night when the club held its first combined training session with the AFL and AFLW squads at Punt Road.

Dustin Martin, Dylan Grimes and Alex Rance were among the throng of AFL premiership heroes available to impart some wisdom.

All-Australian defender Rance spent extra time teaching a section of the women's team the finer arts of body work in marking contests.

"The boys are so good at what they do and obviously they are a great resource for us here at the club," Chuot said.

"To go off the back of what the boys have been able to achieve this year gives us really, really strong momentum and a really good backing for us to go and really put our best foot forward for the 2020 season."

Richmond have returned to 'power club' status on the back of their two AFL premierships in the past three seasons and Grimes felt that had only strengthened with the addition of an elite women's team.

The Tigers are one of four clubs entering new AFLW teams in an expanded competition next year.

"We've noticed a huge change in the program in such a short amount of time with how much traction it's getting and how many supporters we're getting through the AFLW," Grimes said.

"Everyone saw the game grow phenomenally last season, so it's terrific for us."

Chuot, who arrived in Australia from Kenya as a teenager, played one AFLW season with Fremantle in 2017.

The 27-year-old spent 2019 with Richmond's VFLW side before earning a call-up to the inaugural AFLW squad.

"When I first played in 2017, it was a new competition and a lot of the clubs were still finding their feet, but to see the growth the competition has had in the last three years is massive," Chuot said.

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