As far as debutant stories go, Harry Wall might have one of the best to tell.
Satisfied at helping Queenscliff consolidate its spot inside the Bellarine reserve grade top five following a 51-point win over Newcomb, the former Geelong Falcon was about to settle into hearing coach Matt Murphy’s post-game address.
Then, senior coach Heath Jamieson burst through the doors of the visitors’ rooms at Grinter Reserve.
Jai McGough had just withdrawn from the Coutas’ senior team due to a hamstring issue, and Jamieson was looking for a volunteer to take his spot.
“I was happy to put my hand up,” Wall, who joined Queenscliff from GFNL club Leopold earlier this year, told K rock Football.
“I’ve always been keen to play senior footy, so I put my hand up straight away, and he (Jamieson) was happy for me to play.”
The two games were just the start for Wall, who also had the club’s ball back at the Monahan Centre that night.
“It was even sweeter getting both wins and then back to the (Couta) Bowl that night, so the vibes were up,” the 20-year-old said.
“I definitely slept well (on Saturday night), and I slept well Sunday as well.”
Jamieson says Wall had an impact as Queenscliff recorded its sixth win of the season in beating the Power by 13 points.
“I thought as the game went on, he would get more tired,” Jamieson said. “But, as the game went on, he probably came into it a bit more.
“He was playing a chop-out on the wing role for us, and generally, that third man starts on the bench for us.
“His game time was probably a little bit limited, but he chipped in and helped us get the result.”
Wall hopes that with four games remaining, he will add to his senior tally before the end of the season.
But if he doesn’t, the apprentice builder has returned to enjoying his football.
“Moving to Queenscliff was a way to release the pressure off me a bit,” he said.
“I hold pretty high expectations of myself when it comes to footy.
“Going down to Queenscliff, playing with my mates, having a bit of fun, and enjoying my footy a bit more has been good.”
X: @krockfootball
