Doing your ACL is one of the most painful, heartbreaking setbacks in sports.

But when you've got a program full of good people, like the ones at Richmond, it makes the hard parts and little wins all the more bearable.

Take Richmond ruck Montana McKinnon, for example.

The 24-year-old just played her first game since 2023 at the elite level, finally recovering from her ACL injury and making her Club debut in the yellow and black in Round 4.

She did most of her rehab with teammate Katelyn Cox, who also sustained an ACL injury and returned to play this season. But it was the connection with those in the AFL program that left McKinnon feeling supported and understood, on what can usually be a lonely road to recovery.

"Once our season was done and the men's program were starting to roll through their season (the connection started). You've got ones like Juddy (Clarke) Josh Gibcus, Mykelti (Lefau), all in the same boat," McKinnon said on the Moments That Make Us podcast.

"They were all in their rehab as well. We started timing our gym sessions with the boys, just so we had people around us, which was great for the connection. It was such good support."

But that support network went further than just the occasional gym session, with McKinnon recounting the players' excitement when they heard the news of her milestones and last week's debut.

"I remember the first week I came back to the Club after surgery. Juddy came up to me and said, 'look, I've been through this before. If you ever need anything, just give me a call'. They were all so great," she said.

"Even this week, Josh was one of the first to message me when he had seen the team selection. It's built that really good connection. It's great to have that and support each other.

"We've now got Chucky (Charley Ryan) and Zoe (Hargreaves) going through the same thing, and there's a few boys around, who I know are helping them as well."

While McKinnon is grateful for her experience and getting to rehab with a special group of players, she's now fully focused on what lies ahead in her career.

In her first game back since 2023, she managed eight disposals, four kicks, four handballs, two marks, three tackles and nine hit outs.

"I was just so excited to be out there running around, finally. I felt like I got more and more confidence as the game went on," she said.

Richmond hosts Geelong at 1.05pm this Sunday at IKON Park. Get your tickets here.