Injuries hurt Tigers in AFLW loss to Dogs

Richmond are counting the cost of a mounting injury toll after suffering a 17-point AFLW defeat to the previously winless Western Bulldogs.

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.

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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