‘It’s super exciting’: Grace Egan prepares for Richmond AFLW debut

Heading into round one of season seven of the competition, The News decided now was the perfect time to have a chat to the rising star and see how things were shaping up heading into the campaign.

“It’s super exciting,” Egan said on playing for Richmond.

“I probably never would have thought I’d be back, but now that I’m back I don’t regret any decisions.”

Quickly becoming one of the competition’s best midfielders, the talent known as ‘’Greg’’ averaged 15.3 disposals a game in her 23 matches at the Blues.

Finishing fourth and sixth in Carlton’s best-and-fairest counts during her time at the club, the 22-year-old said there were plenty of emotions going into round one.

“It’s always full of excitement and nerves, but no matter who we play it’s always the same emotions,” she said.

“It’s just exciting to finally have the season around again really.”

First up the Tigers will face off with the team Egan supported growing up, Geelong, with a clash against her former club Carlton pencilled in for round eight.

“I’m excited as well as nervous,” she said.

“I have great relationships with the girls there (Carlton) and the staff, so that game is obviously going to be an important one to me.

“I’m more excited than anything because I’ve left on good terms with all the players and staff, so it’s going to be a great day and a game that is going to be filled with emotion and nerves.”

The Shepparton talent’s new side is very much on the rise, with Richmond continuing to build its list after three seasons in the top tier competition.

In 2020 the Tigers did not win a game, however, with an improved result of three wins in their last campaign it is shaping up to be a big season.

"That’s probably one of the main reasons I chose to go back to the Tigers,“ she said.

“The midfield is pretty elite having Mon (Monique Conti) and Ellie McKenzie in there and Sarah Hosking, so to be able to join them and just build on that it definitely looks promising for the future and making finals and hopefully in a few years’ time winning.

“That (finals) is the benchmark for us this year, they (Richmond) haven’t made finals yet in the three years they’ve been a part of it, but we definitely feel like we’re in the right position to make finals this year and that’s definitely one of the top priorities and goals.”

This season is already shaping up to be one of the biggest AFLW campaigns yet, with all 18 AFL clubs now represented and Egan was amazed by how far the league had come in such a short time.

“For example we played a practice match before the men in round 22 on the MCG,” she said.

“So to be able to have those opportunities finally become real just shows how far it’s come and how far it’s going to go.

“To be able to see that Essendon and Hawthorn are being moved to Marvel (Stadium) is just showing how far the comp’s coming and definitely shows a promising future for the girls coming through for the next generation.”

Still a rising star herself, Egan had plenty of advice for youngsters around the Goulburn Valley, telling them to take every opportunity that comes there way.

She called on people to get along and support their favourite team, with round one of season seven now here.

“I didn’t make it my first year, I definitely didn’t stop there though, I just took every opportunity I possibly could,” she said.

“I never said no to trying and even if you don’t make it the first time you can make it the second or third, so that would be my number one advice to give to any girls that are coming up through the pathway.

“It’d be amazing to see more people and families at the games, especially with the time of year since it’s changed and it’s not so much over the summer.”

Richmond will get its AFLW season seven campaign under way against Geelong on Sunday.

Play at the Cats’ GMHBA Stadium starts at 4.10pm.