Can’t view the video? Watch it on YouTube

If you’ve never played AFL, you can only imagine the emotions felt before your first senior game. After all, for most aspiring footballers it’s a dream becoming a reality to be handed a playing guernsey - a sign that you’ve truly made it.

On Sunday, Brad McKenzie became Shinboner 971. All that hard work as a junior had finally paid off, and when he was handed the famous number two guernsey by coach Brad Scott his time had come.

PRESS PLAY above to watch McKenzie’s jumper presentation

Named as the substitute, he didn’t get his chance until the final quarter after Hamish McIntosh left the ground injured, though the limited game-time didn't taken away from the day.

“It was a great experience for myself and one that I’ll never forget,” McKenzie told kangaroos.com.au shortly after the match.

The 18-year old didn’t look out of place at the highest level either. At one stage he took a strong mark in front of Bulldogs’ veteran Robert Murphy, before having the composure to put his kick to Drew Petrie’s advantage and set him up for a big mark.

While his statistics (four disposals, four marks) won’t go down in any record books as a memorable debut, for McKenzie, just donning the royal blue and white for the first time is a memory he'll cherish forever.

PRESS PLAY above to watch McKenzie’s jumper presentation

Can’t view the video? Watch it on YouTube