Narrandera product Flynn to make long-awaited AFL debut for Giants

It was initially met by blank stares from the players, before Cameron explained it's how long Narrandera product Matt Flynn has been in the club's system before announcing he will make his AFL debut against St Kilda on Sunday.

The 23-year-old ruckman was emotional when told his long wait was over with untimely setbacks, in particular a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2019 when he looked near certain to debut, delaying his dream.

For teammate Jacob Hopper, who played alongside Flynn at Leeton's St Francis College, it was a satisfying moment to watch his childhood friend's perseverance be rewarded.

"It was a really awesome moment. He's a really popular figure in the team," Hopper said.

"He (Cameron) put up a number and no one really knew what it meant, but it turned out to be the amount of days Flynny has been at the club.

"It was a great moment because everyone was trying to work out what was going on. He was pretty emotional and it was a real feelgood story, I'm super excited for him."

Hopper has played 84 AFL games, while 2015 draftee Flynn has had to bid his time.

The decision from Giants big man Shane Mumford to hand over first-choice ruck duties to the young brigade this year, combined with a shoulder reconstruction to ruck recruit Braydon Preuss, opened the door for Flynn.

"At school we'd talk about one day playing AFL together, it's pretty surreal in that regard," Hopper said.

"It's an awesome feeling to see how hard he's worked and what he's been through to get that opportunity.

"He always knew he had the ability to get there, and he's had to work his arse off. Having a ruck like Shane to help him out has been really big for him."

Midfielder Hopper is confident the on-field connection they enjoyed at stoppages in their younger days will still be there against the Saints.

"I'm expecting when he gets a nod and a wink that he'll know exactly what to do. There's some real synergy there."

Hopper said the Giants' strong Riverina contingent had tried to help Flynn through the tough times when needed.

"We've got that real connection there, a group from the sticks who have all played against and with each other," he said.

"There's a real unity there, and he's always been a hard-working and committed guy.

"The knee sticks out the most where he was really knocking the door down, but the injury came at a shocking time.

"I think he's always had that drive to play, but there's definitely been moments where you get around him and make sure he can still see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Flynn spoke openly to The Daily Advertiser about his tough road to the AFL earlier this month, admitting frustration had set in at times but was hoping his chance had arrived.

"Five years on a list, you can sit there saying 'is it really going to happen?', but I love playing football and being around the boys. That drove me," he said.

"I went into Leon's office one weekend (last season) when I thought I'd played a couple of good games, and his main point was he hadn't seen me play 18 on 18 for 15 months since I did my knee.

"I've watched a lot of boys debut in front of me and seen some massive rounds of applauses for other boys. It does hit you sometimes but you have to remind yourself things will happen in time.

"I'm super confident the apprenticeship I've served has put me in good stead, and I feel like the setbacks have made me fairly resilient."

Cameron told reporters on Monday how pleasurable it was to give Flynn the news he's waited for.

"Clearly there was a lot of emotion in the room because they know how hard he (Flynn) has worked," Cameron said.

"It puts a smile on my face, it's a wonderful story."

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