Richmond captain Katie Brennan is adamant about playing their AFLW semi-final at Punt Rd, noting the Tigers have earned that right.
The AFL's decision to hold the game against North Melbourne at Richmond's home ground on Saturday afternoon is controversial on two counts.
Firstly, the venue only holds around 3000 fans and the tickets sold out in about a quarter of an hour.
Other suburban venues such as Victoria Park and Ikon Park have more capacity.
The game also clashes with the Matildas' soccer friendly against Sweden at nearby AAMI Park.
Brennan was asked on Wednesday about the broader implications as the AFLW continues to grow, but the Tigers skipper and her teammates have a much narrower focus.
"For us, it's a really exciting moment just to be able to play in finals and to play a home final," she said.
"The decision was given by the AFL to Richmond ... where we wanted to play.
"To play at our spiritual homeland here at Punt Rd is really exciting for us. We're just backing in that decision.
"We just can't wait to get out here on game day and attack the game against North Melbourne.
"There is the discussion around the home final and what that means, but for us, we're just really focused on our performance."
Brennan added playing at Punt Rd would give them a potential advantage that they aim to exploit.
"Any team has a home-ground advantage. Most teams would probably want that home-ground advantage when you've put yourself in a position to be able to earn that," she said.
"We love Punt Rd, we love playing here.
"It's our spiritual homeland, we have a deep connection with this area."
After struggling with a foot injury through season seven, Brennan demonstrated her standing as one of the league's top players by kicking all three of Richmond's goals in the qualifying-final loss to Brisbane.
Brennan now feels she is no longer a week-by-week proposition with the foot problem.
"It's been a bit of a challenging one this (season), but I've been so well supported by our medical team," she said.
"We always have a joke that they'll have to hold me back - and I will just grab a jersey and get out there anyway.
"I'm bullish about playing every game going forward and again, the medical team has done an incredible job, to manage the foot."
Richmond drew with North two weekends ago to earn the double chance, with Meg Macdonald shutting down Kangaroos star Jasmine Garner.
She is guaranteed to start on Garner again.
"Meg has played an enormous role for us, week in, week out," Brennan said.
"She earned her position in the team (with) just such a selfless act, by tagging the most respected opposition player in every team she's played so far.
"She did an incredible job on Jasy Garner, who is one of the best players in the competition.
"No doubt Meg's magnet will be up there, but it will also be a bit of a team role, to be able to support Meg - play our game, but shut down some of their weapons."
