Richmond rebounding defender Eilish Sheerin produced a stunning AFLW debut on Sunday at GMHBA Stadium.

Despite the disappointing end result, Sheerin shone in the Tigers' four-point Round 1 loss to the Cats, finishing with 19 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 408 metres gained, 16 intercepts and five rebound-50s.

The performance received six votes from the coaches, the highest of any Tiger, with Monique Conti and Sarah Hosking also polling one vote apiece. 

01:12

Player of the Match: Round 1

The player of the match for Round 1 is Eilish Sheerin

Sheerin, 29, looked right at home in her first outing at the level, standing out with her dash off half-back and hard-tackling, highlighted by an important goal-saving tackle in the final quarter. 

The moment was a long time coming for the mature-age recruit, who suffered an ACL injury back in 2020 before working her way back to fitness and onto an AFLW list.

02:27

'We'll use that to build our season' - Sheerin

Eilish Sheerin speaks to Richmond media following the Round 1 match against Geelong

Sheerin said it was "incredible" to finally make her debut.

"It was great to get out there with the girls. I'm loving the move to Richmond, we've got a wonderful group and they're really helping me build my knowledge of the game," she said.

"I haven't really let it sink in too much but it was great. I'm going to take a moment and enjoy that and then start prepping for Adelaide next week.

"I love our backline group... Bec Miller back there is an absolute general. She keeps me in line and ensures I do the right things by the team and gives me that opportunity to push forward as well."

03:11

Round 1: Ferguson post-match

Ryan Ferguson speaks to the media following the Round 1 match against Geelong

It was a heartbreaking loss on Sunday, but Sheerin said the group would use the result as motivation. 

"(Senior coach Ryan Ferguson) encouraged us to bottle the positives out of that game and really use that to build our season," she said.

"We had a really strong work-rate, a lot of pressure and (we were) fierce at the ball.

"There was a lot of good things that we did... So, just ensuring that we build on that and become more consistent."

01:10

Round 1: Jumper presentation

Richmond president, Peggy O'Neal, presents the debutants with their guernsey's prior to the Round 1 match against Geelong

Ferguson lauded Sheerin's tenacity and ability to slot straight into the system.

"Eilish was really strong. She's just a mature, hardened body and mind," she said.

"She's very resilient and it was just pleasing to see her bring all the reasons why we brought her across and what she's been doing in pre-season and the trial games. 

"That was a real standout for us." 

The full voting details for the AFLW Round 1 Richmond v Geelong match are:

8 Amy McDonald (GEEL)
8 Georgie Prespakis (GEEL)
6 Eilish Sheerin (RICH)
4 Nina Morrison (GEEL)
2 Meghan McDonald (GEEL)
1 Sarah Hosking (RICH)
1 Monique Conti (RICH)