Injuries hurt Tigers in AFLW loss to Dogs

Already struggling to cope with significant personnel issues, the Tigers lost Hannah Burchell (knee), Laura McClelland and Kate Dempsey (both ankle) during Sunday's contest at Whitten Oval.

McClelland limped off after her right leg twisted awkwardly in a tackle before half-time, while Dempsey was helped off by trainers midway through the final term.

There are grave concerns for Burchell, who hurt her left knee during the third quarter and was taken from the field on a stretcher.

The fresh setbacks came with key players Harriet Cordner (knee) and Courtney Wakefield (shoulder) already sidelined.

The 4.6 (30) to 1.7 (13) defeat was the Tigers' third in succession and another significant blow to their hopes of playing finals for the first time.

"Any time you lose, you're always licking your wounds," Richmond coach Ryan Ferguson said.

"But when you see one (injury) after the other and teammates that you care about that are hurting, that makes it a tough one to deal with.

"We're lucky we do have people that are character-filled and we will rally around each other and get back to work and figure out what we have to do from here."

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, were able to celebrate their first win of the season following a tough start.

Despite playing their third game in the space of 10 days due to a schedule heavily affected by COVID-19 - and with 17 of their selected 21 players having dealt with bouts of the virus in recent weeks - the home side were full of running.

Kirsty Lamb (27 disposals) and captain Ellie Blackburn (19) led from the front, with Isabella Grant and Bonnie Toogood also influential.

Bulldogs duo Nell Morris-Dalton and Toogood kicked the opening two goals of a tight first half before former Dogs star Katie Brennan pulled one back for Richmond.

Brennan's well-executed snap shot after a mark deep in the forward pocket cut the margin to five points at the main break.

But the Bulldogs used the wind to their advantage in the third term as Blackburn and Celine Moody kicked goals to keep their side in control.

A goalless final term confirmed the Dogs' victory on coach Nathan Burke's 52nd birthday.

"I'm just really pleased they got reward for effort," Burke said.

"I couldn't question their effort with what they've been through with games postponed, no one at training and all that sort of stuff."

Richmond star Monique Conti continued her stellar season with 23 disposals and five tackles in the midfield, while teammates Jess Hosking and Maddie Shevlin worked hard all day.

The Bulldogs' win left West Coast (0-4) and St Kilda (0-3) as the only sides yet to taste victory this season.

Australian Associated Press