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<\/p>\nIt was a debut 1233 days in the making and even then the call up to be named as the sub for Sydney\u2019s Friday night Gather Round line-up was at the death knock as Will Gould battled a foot injury.<\/p>\n
Given the decimation of the Swans defensive end with the McCartin brothers out with the concussion protocols and Dane Rampe suffering from a neck injury, the stars had aligned for Will\u2019s call up to the big league but having been in a moon boot a week earlier and not in great form, the call up was anything but a certainty.<\/p>\n
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Of course, given Will was to be named the sub, a role only revealed one hour before the first bounce of any game, there is no footage of sharing the news with family and friends but Luke Parker\u2019s jumper presentation tells you all you need to know about how the 22 year old Lucindale alumni is rated at the Swans.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful story – I think there\u2019s not too a lot of guys have his persistence, patience and just being relentless with your effort to continue to drive your career and stick fat through some tough times,\u201d Parker said. \u201cThe journey you\u2019ve been on is an absolute testament to your character and ultimately I think at certain times in your career you\u2019ve been really stiff that this moment has come sooner but I remember reflecting on your first game running out against the Giants in a practice match and you cleaned up Matt Buntine and I thought holy sh#!, I can\u2019t wait to play with this bloke.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone in this room is so excited to be running out alongside you tonight \u2013 your family I\u2019m sure are as proud as punch. \u201cYou finally get an opportunity and we can\u2019t wait to see where your career takes you. We\u2019ve got so much confidence in what you\u2019re going to bring to this team.\u201d<\/p>\n
And in terms of when the sub usually gets a call up to the on field action, Will didn\u2019t have to wait that long when Joel Amartey suffered a hamstring strain early in the second quarter and Will ran out onto the Adelaide Oval in front of family and friends who had scrambled for tickets and finding their way to the milestone game.<\/p>\n
Will spoke post-game to Ben Waterworth, from Fox Sports, about his journey from pick 26 in the 2019 draft to last Friday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was unfortunate there were a couple of injuries last week, but to come home to Adelaide, my home state, and play in front of friends and family \u2013 it\u2019s pretty special\u201d Will told the Fox Sports journalist.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just an awesome experience and it\u2019s an absolute pleasure to play for the club.\u201d A club that has always been clear with the Glenelg SANFL premiership player as to what he needed to do to be in contention for senior selection.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe message (from coaches) has always been consistency and to be ready, because you never know when it\u2019s going to happen \u2013 like this week,\u201d he said. \u201cIt took a fair bit to go wrong for me to run out, but always being ready. Last year was the same: Compete and just be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
While his AFL journey thus far has been anything but a fairytale \u2013 the chance to debut in his home state did fall into the fairytale category. \u201cEven going out there in the warm-up, soaking it all in \u2013 it was nice to be back home,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was a surreal feeling running out with the guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
Will (pictured during the traditional post-match Powerade shower for debutantes) finished with nine disposals and, not surprisingly, has a taste for more.<\/p>\n