Sport
20 December, 2024
Paige Scott officially moves from Essendon to Richmond following Monday night’s AFLW draft
Paige Scott has officially swapped their sash.
The exciting forward, and former Avoca local, has successfully negotiated their exit from Essendon, and has been drafted by Richmond in Monday night’s AFLW draft.
Scott is expected to improve the Tigers’ forward half, which already boasted the sixth-best forward line in the 2024 season, which saw Richmond finish in seventh position.
However, they are still yet to win a final in the AFLW competition, having been bundled out in the first week of the finals by Port Adelaide.
The acquisition of Scott, who has kicked 12 goals in 28 games with the Bombers, means the Tigers are able to add to a forward mix which includes previous competition leading goalkicker Caitlin Greiser.
Richmond also has the belief that Scott can also go through the midfield, which could help provide more support for six-time best and fairest winner Monique Conti.
Scott played seven games this season and wasn’t quite able to build on what was a good season in 2023, averaging nine disposals and 2.6 tackles.
Their best game was in week six against the Sydney Swans, where Scott had 15 disposals, seven marks and a goal.
The Bombers eventually finished the season in eighth position, but Scott was not picked for their elimination final loss against Fremantle, instead named as an emergency.
Scott signalled an intention to move to the Tigers, but a move which would have seen Scott move to Richmond, Amber Clarke move to St Kilda and Emelia Yassir move to Essendon fell through in the final minutes of the AFLW trade period.
That meant Scott delisted themselves from the Bombers to nominate for the AFLW draft.
Essendon AFLW General Manager Aysha Ward told essendonfc.com.au that the exit was amicable from both parties.
“While it's disappointing to lose a player of Paige's talent, we accept their decision to remove themself from our list,” she told essendonfc.com.au.
“This decision has been a harmonious one and Paige leaves us here at Essendon on good terms and with our well wishes.
“Paige will always be an inaugural Bomber and we wish them all the best in their next chapter.”
That then allowed Richmond to pounce with pick 31, despite multiple teams holding picks which could have lured Scott elsewhere.
The Tigers were thrilled to land Scott, with Richmond AFLW National Recruiting Manager Trent Mosbey providing a deep dive to get Tiger supporters excited about the forward’s potential.
“The former GWV Rebels product strengths are their contested marking, power, speed, agility, and has a great leap capable of taking speckys,” Mosbey told richmondfc. com.au.
“Possessing strong footy IQ, Paige is capable of kicking important goals in big moments, as was evident against Richmond in 2023 with two critical goals in the Dreamtime game at Ikon Park.
“We see Paige slotting into our forward line, bringing elite defensive pressure in the front half and challenging the opposition in lots of ways inside forward 50, either in the air or at ground level, offensively and defensively.
“They are well regarded for being highly competitive, bringing im-pressive urgency, intensity and aggression at the contested ball.