Richmond AFLW superstar Monique Conti has started her season in the best possible way, claiming a perfect 10 in the coaches' votes.

The 2023 league best and fairest winner has already continued her elite form into this season, dominating through the midfield on Friday night at Mineral Resources Stadium as she collected 31 disposals, including 17 contested possessions, to go with six tackles and five clearances.

01:39

KFC Player of the Match: Round 1

Monique Conti has taken home the Round 1 Player of the Match thanks to KFC.

Now a five-time Tigers Best and Fairest winner, Conti, who is still only 24 years old, was one of six players across the league to receive a perfect score of 10 in Round 1. 

Also featuring in the eyes of the coaches was Poppy Kelly (one vote) who worked hard in the ruck all night, finishing with 25 hit-outs, three tackles and one goal.

05:20

AFLW Week 1: Match Highlights

Watch all the highlights from the Week 1 clash with West Coast.

 

Richmond AFLW senior coach Ryan Ferguson said Conti's "competitiveness just shone through" in the heartbreaking one-point loss.

"I think she really stepped up and it's a pleasure to have a competitor and person like that on your team. 

"It's important in a tight loss that we don't lose gratitude for people like that, she got us in a position where we almost won the game."

Ferguson said it was pleasing to see the Tigers "storm home", but they ultimately "left the door ajar". 

"There was big patches of the game I thought we really controlled the flow of it, controlled territory and time in forward half, and we didn't take them. (And) missed some really simple shots," Ferguson said.

"(We) played some moments poorly that we need to be better at."

05:35

AFLW Week 1: Ferguson post-match

Hear from Senior Coach Ryan Ferguson following the Week 1 loss to West Coast.

West Coast v Richmond

10 - Monique Conti (RICH)
6 - Jess Hosking (WCE)
6 - Ella Roberts (WCE)
4 - Charlotte Thomas (WCE)
3 - Alison Drennan (WCE)
1 - Poppy Kelly (RICH)

LEADERBOARD

10 Monique Conti (RICH)
10 Zarlie Goldsworthy (GWS)
10 Kate Hore (MELB)
10 Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw (STK)
10 Aine Tighe (FRE)
10 Eliza West (HAW)
9 Jasmine Garner (NMFC)
9 Anne Hatchard (ADEL)
9 Ebony Marinoff (ADEL)
9 Ashleigh Riddell (NMFC)
8 Brittany Bonnici (COLL)
8 Sabrina Frederick (COLL)
8 Aisling McCarthy (FRE)
8 Lucy McEvoy (SYD)
8 Alyce Parker (GWS)
7 Aileen Gilroy (HAW)
7 Blaithin Mackin (MELB)
7 Amy McDonald (GEEL)
6 Ally Anderson (BL)
6 Jess Hosking (WCE)
6 Ella Roberts (WCE)
6 Mim Strom (FRE)