COLLINGULLIE teenager Harry Perryman says the prospect of his AFL debut is yet to sink in.
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It will be a dream come true for Perryman on Saturday when he makes his AFL debut for Greater Western Sydney (GWS) against Richmond at Spotless Stadium.
GWS coach Leon Cameron announced Perryman’s debut at the Giants team meeting on Wednesday morning.
Perryman did not see the good news coming.
“Not really, I knew we had a few injuries but I never think about it too much,” Perryman said.
“It’s a pretty good feeling. All the boys back at home are pretty happy. I think they’re more excited than I am.”
The prospect of going up against the likes of Dusty Martin, Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt is yet to sink in for Perryman.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said.
“After the game on Saturday when I sit back at home it will probably sink in but at the moment it hasn’t and I can’t wait to get out there.”
Perryman, 18, has been knocking on the door of the Giants’ AFL team for the past month after strong form for GWS in the North Eastern Australian Football League (NEAFL), including a 40-possession game last week.
Perryman expects to slot in down back for the Giants.
“I’m not really sure yet but I’ll probably be down back, I’d say,” he said.
“It’s good to get a bit of reward for effort. I seen Matty Kennedy play last year and thought I might be able to sneak in a couple of games.”
AFL Riverina has a general bye for representative football this weekend and it could not have come at a better time for Collingullie-Glenfield Park.
Perryman has been given 100 tickets and expects a big cheer squad to make the trip to Sydney, headed by parents Max and Liz, and his brothers Nick, Ed and Joe.
“Hopefully everyone will come along, I’ve got 100 tickets,” he said with a laugh.
“I told them to give me as many as possible.”
Not only is it a big moment for Perryman, but it is a huge game in the context of GWS and Richmond’s season.
“The Tigers are coming off a couple of losses so they’ll be up and about,” he said.