So impressive was the game of 19-year-old David Zaharakis last Saturday that the life-long Essendon supporter will now make his AFL debut against Fremantle on Sunday.
""I am pretty excited, the nerves haven't really kicked in yet but tomorrow nightI don't think I will be able to get much sleep,"" Zaharakis said.
""I was told on Thursday (yesterday) morning, Knighta called me in and said congratulations you are playing and then went through my role. He told me what to expect and I couldn't get the smile off my face.
""I have always wanted to play for Essendon so this is a dream come true. Coming to the club I didn't set any goals about playing a game and I just wanted to get through pre-season and thought that anything that happened from there would bea bonus.""
Taken with pick No.23 in the 2008 NAB National Draft, the speedy midfielder is described by list manager, Adrian Dodoro, in the latest Bomber Magazine as having a ""good footy brain"" and ""always seems to have an impact on what is happening"".
'Zaka', as he is known at the club, was co-captain of the Vic Metro team(with Michael Hurley) in 2008 and was named in theU/18 All-Australian team that year.
He said Hurley, who made his AFL debut last week, has given his some advice ahead of the game.
""He told me to treat it as a normal game, he said you have played footy for 10-years so just play footy and don't get overawed. He said you know how to play and that is why you got picked so go out there and enjoy yourself.
""I have worked hard pre-season soI feel I have had enough time to get ready but going out there I won't really know what to expect so you do everything to get ready but you don't know what it will be like until you get out there.""
Not to be outdone as a great footy story, 19-year-old Irishman, Michael Quinn, will also debut for the club on Sunday.
The Longford County local says one of the first people he contacted after learning of his debut was fellow Irishman, Marty Clarke, from Collingwood.
While Clarke amazed the football community by making his debut in Round 12 of his first season, Quinn's rise has been even more rapid.
Half-backs: Pears Ryder Fletcher
Centres: Winderlich Stanton Lovett
Half-forwards: Monfries Lloyd McPhee
Forwards: Quinn Lucas Davey
Followers: Hille Watson Zaharakis
