Renee Tierney admits that her delayed inclusion to Essendon’s AFLW lineup in 2023 caused some headaches, but it was well worth the wait.

The 21-year-old marked her first game of the season with a solid performance as the Bombers ground out a 17-point victory over the Tigers, becoming a focal point in the attack on return.

Speaking post-match, the relief for Tierney in getting back on the field with her teammates was clear to see.

“I’ve just said to a few girls I’m so excited and happy. I had fun out there and that’s something I’ve been really looking for,” Tierney said.

“It’s my first win, so I’m very happy.”

After missing her first shot at goal, some clever positioning allowed Tierney another chance to extend the Bombers’ lead going into half-time from a set shot.

Keen to make amends, Tierney converted truly to secure her first AFLW career goal.

“I shanked the first one, so I was like ‘I’ve got to get this second one’,” Tierney said.

“I wasn’t sure if I had the distance or not, but I just trusted myself and went through it and thought ‘just think of the feeling if you do’.”

After waiting six weeks to appear in 2023 and build off the two games from her debut season, Tierney found herself frustrated, but with clear motivation to establish her spot when an opportunity presented itself.

“I think it was really disappointing and frustrating, but I just worked my ass off regardless,” Tierney said.

“I was trying to ‘stay ready’ rather than ‘get ready’ and just take my opportunity when it came. I’m just trying to make as much impact as I can with what I was given.”

Now well into their second year in the competition, Tierney can see how the Bombers have gelled over time and become a tighter-knit unit as a result.

Entering a forward line filled with exciting scoring options, Tierney is ready to do what she can to make life easier for her teammates up top.

“We’ve all known each other for almost a year now, which is more than we had last year. I think we just trust each other and the way that we play,” Tierney said.

“(The forward line) just feels so supportive, like I know I’ve got people to lean on and they can lean on me.

“If they ask something of me, I’m going to do it, and if I ask something of them, they’ll return it as well. We work for each other, and I think that’s what makes us dangerous and gets a few different people on the scoreboard.”

The Bombers are looking ahead to a crunch clash with West Coast at Windy Hill on Sunday, with an opportunity to improve to a 6-2 record for the season.

After a loss to the Eagles in the pre-season, the fixture presents a chance for the Bombers to show their improvement in front of their home faithful, with Tierney hopeful of a strong turnout.

“We’ve got a bit of a point to prove to ourselves and just show how far we’ve come since then and really drive that through each other,” Tierney said.

“Windy Hill is one of the best grounds in this competition, there’s so much love and heart there and so many good memories.

“If you can get down and support, it does mean the world, you’re an extra player and extra voice.”