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Danielle Marshall had an imediate impact when she made history as the first American to lace up the boots on an AFLW field.

Danielle Marshall's AFLW debut was such a blur she wasn't quite sure if she goaled with her first kick.

Recruited from Phoenix, Arizona, the 28-year-old made history on Sunday as the first American to grace the elite stage in the women's game.

She did so in fine style, helping the Western Bulldogs to a 25-point win over competition newcomers St Kilda.

"It's kind of just an indescribable feeling," Marshall said.

"You've worked this hard, you move across the world, my husband's only been here two-and-a-half weeks; just all of that coming together at this moment.

"To get on the field and kick a goal with, I think, my first kick was like ... I don't think you could write the script any better than that."

Marshall played junior soccer and stumbled upon Australian Rules while trying to watch English Premier League on ESPN.

She fell in love with the "weird" football code and joined her local United States AFL team, the Arizona Hawks.

On Sunday - or Saturday night in the US - Marshall's friends and family across North America stayed up late to watch her AFLW debut online.

Her goal was one of three in the opening 10 minutes as the Bulldogs set the tone for their 6.3 (39) to 2.2 (14) win early.

"The feeling was absolutely amazing getting to run out there alongside all these women you've been training with," Marshall said.

"That's really the best part.

"You've worked with these girls, you've trained with these girls, you respect each other, you love each other and to get to play with them and win with them is one of the best feelings."

Marshall started in attack but was thrust into a different role by St Kilda legend Nathan Burke - in his first year as coach of the Bulldogs women - when teammate Celine Moody sustained an ankle injury.

She relished the opportunity to combine forward and ruck duties, finishing with seven disposals, six contested possessions and four tackles.

"I'd always wanted to play a full-contact sport, so I think maybe I just love it," Marshall said.

"It's just something you thrive on and when you're as competitive as I am, it's something you've always looked forward to."

Burke was thrilled with Marshall's contribution, as well as her willingness and ability to fill a variety of roles.

"To have that sort of player in your team is just a godsend," Burke said.