Richmond AFLW's first finals series might be over, but there are countless positives to come out of the season and one big one from the semi-final loss.

Despite going down by 36 points to North Melbourne, unheralded defender Katelyn Cox showed just what she is made of.

After being signed by the Kangaroos as an inactive player replacement in 2021, and delisted without making her debut, Cox went back to the VFLW and developed her footy.

That earned her selection at the most recent draft and Cox has since played every possible game for the Tigers this season.

Typically a running, rebounding defender, Cox was tasked with a defensive forward role on Roos captain Emma Kearney and didn't just work to stop the star, but also kicked her first ever AFLW goal to open the game.

00:30

AFLW SF: Katelyn Cox gets her first goal

Katelyn Cox nails her first AFLW major with a terrific crumbing finish

Richmond coach Ryan Ferguson was full of admiration for Kangaroo Jas Garner's performance, saying "she was a star today", but praised Tiger Meg Macdonald on her efforts on her.

"We felt in the first quarter she was getting numbers, but Meg did a good job early, tackled her a few times and stopped her from getting the ball forward, she was able to get it out a few times," Ferguson said.

"It's funny how it works. Early in the second quarter when Meg wasn't on her, we played on from a mark and explode, trying to set the ground up and get some attack going, but we turned it straight back over to them.

"It ended up in her lap, which was smart football from her, but also from them in winning it back. There were a couple of those little moments that went against us, but also, she's a very good player who learned.

"She had a steely attack on the contest today, and well done, she was too good."

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AFLW SF: Ferguson post-match

Ryan Ferguson speaks to the media after the Semi Final against North Melbourne

After a remarkable rise from 11th to fourth, Richmond's fourth season in the league is now over. 

"We've beaten all the teams around us, and we were looking for a breakthrough, and Brisbane in round five was still huge for us, it was a breakthrough moment (as was) drawing against this team in the final round to get us into the top four," Ferguson said.

"I know we don't get the win we would have liked to in finals, but to get those two games against quality teams is really important for us.

"There's a gap there, but we think it's tight and we can make it up, we just have to get back to work."

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AFLW SF: Match Highlights

Watch the highlights from the Semi Final against North Melbourne