Star Richmond AFLW defender Eilish Sheerin has been named the AFLW's Best First Year Player.
As voted by her playing peers, Sheerin received the honour at the Season 7 AFLW Players’ MVP Awards on Wednesday night following her outstanding debut season.
Drafted to Tigerland earlier this year at 29 years old, Sheerin's story is one of true perseverance, having overcome multiple ACL injuries to achieve her AFLW dream.
Now aged 30, the dashing half-back produced a remarkable first season in the league and was a key contributor to the Tigers' breakthrough season.
Named in the Season Seven All-Australian team at Tuesday night's W Awards, Sheerin was a standout from her very first AFLW game back in Round 1, recording 19 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 408 metres gained, 16 intercepts and five rebound-50s.
Playing in every match of the home and away season, she went on to average 16 disposals and 367 metres gained per game.
Richmond Head of Women's Football Kate Sheahan said Sheerin's debut season was one to be proud of.
"For Eilish to come in for her first season and have such an impact and hit the ground running from her very first game, really showed the competition what she was made of," Sheahan said.
Sheerin is the second Tiger to win the award, following Ellie McKenzie in 2021.
