Reigning Richmond AFLW best and fairest winner, Monique Conti has picked up where she left off in season 2020, with a strong display against Melbourne on Saturday.

The youngster was the Tigers’ best in the 28-point loss, racking up a game-high 27 disposals.

Conti who took time to work into the Round 1 game last week while under a strong Cathy Svarc-tag, was prolific from the get-go against Melbourne in a trademark energetic display.

The 21-year-old received seven AFL Coaches Association Champion Player votes for her efforts, which are voted by each competing AFLW senior coach on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after every game.

Richmond AFLW senior coach Ryan Ferguson said Conti set herself up for the game with a strong week on the training track.

“It was just about getting back to what she knows; being lively (and) really hungry,” he said.

“I was impressed with how she responded to a tough challenge last week (where) a good player put a lot of time and effort into her.

“I think she learned a lot and responded brilliantly.”

04:31

AFLW Ferguson post match

AFLW Senior Coach Ryan Ferguson speaks to the media, following the round 2 match against Melbourne.

Number one draft pick Ellie McKenzie was the other Tiger to catch a coach's eye, polling the maiden AFLCA Champion Player vote of her career.

McKenzie looked every bit the ready-made AFLW player she had been billed as in another impressive display, where she gathered 15 disposals, including nine kicks, three marks and three tackles.

The 18-year-old also set up Richmond’s opening major with a silky gather, weave through traffic, and pin-point kick on her non-preferred right foot to the advantage of Sabrina Frederick.

04:23

AFLW R2: Match highlights

Highlights of the Round 2 match against Melbourne.

Ferguson said McKenzie had already shown she was an important player to the Tigers.

“She does not have to do anything special,” he explained.

“I love her work rate and aggression and desire to compete. That is what we are asking for her to do every time she comes on the park.

“She is really headstrong, she can be kept quiet for patches, but she’s strong enough to stick to her game and compete until it goes her way.”

AFLCA Champion Player Votes Melbourne v Richmond
8 Tyla Hanks (MELB)
7 Monique Conti (RICH)
7 Lily Mithen (MELB)
4 Kate Hore (MELB)
2 Alyssa Bannan (MELB)
1 Sinead Goldrick (MELB)
1 Ellie McKenzie (RICH)

Richmond AFLCA Champion Player Votes 2021

7- Monique Conti
3- Harriet Cordner
1-Ellie McKenzie