JOE Daniher may have been the high-profile debutant but Essendon’s thrilling Friday night win against Carlton was also a welcome to the big time for Will Hams.
The 18-year-old from Sale made his debut against Sydney Swans a week earlier and was again the substitute for Friday’s match in front of 82,000 fans.
Subbed into the game late in the third quarter, Hams collected just the three possessions in the final term.
But it was a head-on collision with Heath Scotland going for a 50-50 ball that has endeared the youngster to Bomber fans.
The passage of play was important in keeping the ball in Essendon’s attacking half of the field with just minutes to go.
It typified the attack on the ball shown weekly in Essendon’s VFL team that fast-tracked Hams’ progression from rookie draft selection to a senior debut.
‘‘It’s just a bit of see the ball, get the ball,’’ Hams said. ‘‘Growing up with an older brother I got bashed around the backyard so I’m used to that being how to get the ball.
‘‘It was absolutely unreal, I’ve never played on the MCG, to play in front of a massive crowd with the boys and get the win… sing the song with me and Joey D in the middle, it was just unreal.”
Hams said working with VFL coach Hayden Skipworth, who doubles as a development coach for Essendon’s young players, had been important in earning the senior call-up.
‘‘It wasn’t the easiest game against Sydney but the coaches kept the faith in me and I’m stoked for it.’’
