AN EXPANDED competition afforded a large number of players the chance to make their NAB AFLW debuts over the weekend.

It wasn't just the kids who caught the eye, with a number of mature-age recruits taking full advantage of their long-awaited opportunity at the top level.

Eilish Sheerin (Richmond, pronounced 'Aay-lish')

Possibly the most remarkable debut of the round, the 29-year-old shone in a rebounding role for the Tigers. Recruited from AFL Sydney team Inner West Magpies, Sheerin suffered a torn ACL in 2019, missing out on any potential contract offer from GWS for 2020. Picking up six AFLCA votes on debut, Sheerin recorded 19 disposals, 17 contested possessions and 17 intercepts against Geelong.

Tamara Smith (Hawthorn)

The 22-year-old Geelong product didn't waste any time getting her hands dirty, providing a driving force for the Hawks out of the middle. Signed as an open-age player in Hawthorn's initial list build, the contested midfielder was busy throughout against Essendon. Smith finished with 14 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances, but did give away eight free kicks.

Paige Scott (Essendon)

One of the draftees to make her mark in round one, the bullocking Scott caught the eye up forward and when rotating through the midfield. One of the NAB AFLW Rising Star nominees for round one, Scott's decision-making and skill execution was particularly notable. The Bomber had 16 touches, four marks, three score involvements and a goal.

Abbey Dowrick (Port Adelaide)

Signed as an open-age player, the West Australian midfielder tried her luck with a stint in the SANFLW this year to great effect. A highly touted junior before injuries intervened, Dowrick had a well-rounded performance against West Coast. Named a NAB AFLW Rising Star nominee for round one, Dowrick recorded 21 disposals, seven marks, six clearances and 416m gained.

Cambridge McCormick (GWS)

Rucking virtually solo against Western Bulldogs Alice Edmonds and Celine Moody, the 23-year-old McCormick battled hard across all four quarters. Taken in the draft from Eastlake Demons, McCormick didn't just compete in the air, with 18 hitouts, nine disposals, four tackles and two clearances. 

Liz McGrath (Port Adelaide)

Picked up from North Melbourne's VFLW team as an open-age signing, McGrath shone on debut against a young West Coast ruck division. The 24-year-old showed her ability at ground level with eight disposals, six tackles and two clearances to go with her 29 hitouts.

Hannah Stuart (St Kilda)

The Saints knew exactly what they were getting when they drafted Stuart from their VFLW side Southern Saints. The hard-working midfielder thrived in the contest and was an important linking player moving into attack with her 12 disposals, five score involvements and four clearances.

Lauren Szigeti (Sydney, pronounced 'Zi-get-i')

Becoming the first player to debut as co-captain since the AFLW's first season in 2017 wasn't enough for Szigeti, who showed some other teams may regret overlooking her over the past few years. The Hawthorn VFLW recruit has worked hard on her fitness in the past few years, and it showed against St Kilda with 11 disposals, eight clearances and four inside 50s.

Sophie Locke (Hawthorn)

Locke's efforts to kick Hawthorn's first goal and subsequent touching tribute to her late mother caught the headlines, but it wasn't her only moment of the game against Essendon. Recruited from Port Melbourne as an open-age player but hailing from Seymour in country Victoria, Locke was especially creative inside 50 with her 10 touches and five tackles.

Rylie Wilcox (Western Bulldogs)

The diminutive Wilcox showed promising signs in her debut on the wing against GWS. Selected with pick No.21 in this year's NAB AFLW Draft from Northern Knights, Wilcox showed a nice mix of dash and composure in her 13 disposals, three intercepts and two marks.

Zoe Barbakos (Hawthorn)

Lively small forward Barbakos showed she will cause havoc at ground level for some time to come in her debut against Essendon. The Sandringham Dragons 19-year-old was signed as an open-age player fresh off a three-goal haul for Vic Metro. Barbakos may have only had the six touches against the Bombers, but she kicked two majors and had three score involvements.