Conti, Tigers knew AFLW finals would come

After only six wins in their first three AFLW seasons, Richmond's barnstorming run into the top four looks like a surprise.

To Tigers star Monique Conti and her teammates, it is simply the outcome of a very deliberate and carefully laid-out plan.

Richmond are one of the most in-form teams ahead of the finals, with seven wins and then last Sunday's crucial draw against North Melbourne to give them the double chance.

They will play the Brisbane Lions in Saturday's qualifying final at Metricon Stadium.

While the minor premiers lost only once this season and will start favourites, they will hold no fears for a Richmond team that finally learned how to win.

"We've been building this for a long time, We're on this unique journey - there are teams that come in and they've made their mark right away," Conti said.

"But we've stuck to our process ... last season we came close so many times, but we just didn't win.

"This season we've really learned to run out a whole game and we know what it takes to win.

"We saw it coming. It was our goal to make finals."

Conti has enjoyed another outstanding season and is among the favourites to win her first AFLW best and fairest.

Last season's winner, Brisbane ace Emily Bates, said a few days ago that she would "love a crack" in the midfield against Conti during Saturday's clash.

Conti took the public challenge as a compliment and noted the Lions midfield is stacked with class.

But rather than any individual duel, Conti wants Richmond to keep "riding that wave" that has carried them through their breakout season.

"We're not just here to compete any more, we're here to win," she said.

Nothing less would be expected from Conti, one of the AFLW's most decorated players.

She won a premiership at the Western Bulldogs in 2018 and is a three-time All Australian.

Conti also has WNBL championship and made the tough decision over the last couple of years to focus on her football career.

"But with my basketball, I never quit. I put it on hold," she said.

"I still want to pursue my basketball dreams if I can, but it just depends.

"I don't sit here and think 'what's my five-year plan?' I'm thinking of what I can do each season, each year.

"Obviously all my attention is on footy and finals. I'm not really thinking beyond that at the moment."