The last six months have been a whirlwind for Cameron Richardson. After being traded to the North Melbourne Football Club, the 23 year-old’s life has been turned upside down.

Whisked off to Utah with the team in October, the Ballarat born half-back blitzed the club’s time trials and began to feel a bit of the media spotlight shifting in his direction.

After a few impressive pre-season matches, there was no stopping the hype surrounding his quality and ability.

On Thursday there was proof all the talk was warranted with North’s match committee slotting Richardson straight into the round one side to play against the Eagles.

“I’m just excited at the moment being early on but I’m sure I’ll be nervous closer to the game. Really just grateful for the opportunity,” Richardson said just a few hours after the Kangaroos’ squad had been announced.

Quietly spoken and extremely level headed, Richardson says he pays little attention to any outside influences or the expectations placed on him through the media.

“I don’t worry about any hype…I’m more concerned with my performance and the team structures and making sure I execute them correctly. Whatever is said and written is of no real concern to me at this stage. In saying that the support that I’ve had has been fantastic and I appreciate it.”

Most of that support has come from his home-town Ballarat - a city also close to the heart of the club. But Richardson is quickly winning friends all over with his capacity to rebound from defence and break the lines with his run and carry.

In the lead up to his selection announcement, he says he refused to get ahead of himself and was prepared to be disappointed.

“Because it’s been a gradual build up to round one…it’s not a head spin. It’s either gonna go one way or another and you mentally prepare for both scenarios I suppose.”

While making a debut is daunting, doing it on Patersons Stadium (formerly Subiaco Oval) in front of an unforgiving West Coast crowd is set to present a whole new set of challenges. But Richardson will be listening out for some specific encouragement in the stands from some people very close to him.

“My daughter Lillian will be with a babysitter but my partner Allycia, my Mum Maria, step-dad Phil, Dad Ian and his girlfriend Sue will be making the trip which is great. My brothers Adam and Sheldon and sister Bec will have to watch on television.

“I haven’t really thought about it too much, I just hope I can get into a good routine over there so I’m relaxed for the game. I’ve never had a strict routine so I’ll just take it as it comes.”