Richmond midfielder Maddie Shevlin has opened up on the “surreal” feeling of running out for her 50th game in the Tigers’ AFLW season opener on Friday night.

Shevlin’s journey to the half-century hasn’t been straight forward.

The Canberra native first had to commit to a move to Melbourne to chase her footy dream, before landing on the Demons’ list for the 2018 season.

Instant success wasn’t to be, though, as Shevlin didn’t play a game in the red and blue, opting to switch to the team she supported growing up, Collingwood, for the 2019 campaign.

Taking the Magpies’ famed number 35 guernsey, many would think Shevlin hit the jackpot of landing at her childhood club, but things didn't go to plan.

Struggling to establish a spot in Collingwood’s best line-up, Shevlin played five games in 2019, followed by another five in 2020, which then dropped to just three appearances in 2021.

In her own words, Shevlin admits, “I wasn’t given the opportunity I thought I had…I had potential and I thought I was a better player than the opportunity that I was given”, which was a catalyst to her crossing Olympic Boulevard and joining Richmond.

At Tigerland, Shevlin has thrived.

She has been a consistent performer across her first four years at Richmond, with the 27-year-old using her class and foot skills to take ground either from the backline or wing.

Speaking on the latest episode of Moments That Make Us, the Club’s new AFLW podcast hosted by Bec Miller and Issy Bacon, Shevlin described how meaningful reaching the 50-game milestone is.

“I moved interstate to pursue this dream, and the first year I spent on a list at Melbourne, I never played a game,” Shevlin said.

“To think back nine seasons and be running out for my 50th game is pretty surreal. You probably have times when you doubt if it’s even possible.

“You see people from your draft class that are getting 50, and you just want it to be you one day.

“It will be really exciting and makes the trip from Canberra to Melbourne seem a little bit more worthwhile, and you have something tangible to remember the career that I had and the move that I made.

“It’ll be special for family and friends as well, they’re along for the journey for sure, and Sydney’s not too far from Canberra, which is nice.”

Shevlin and the Tigers will open their 2025 AFLW campaign against the Swans in Sydney on Friday night at 6:15pm.