FIRST-GAMER Marc Pittonet says it was a "thrill" being able to make his Hawthorn debut in front of a huge crowd on Easter Monday.
While the result didn't go to plan for the Hawks, for ruckman Pittonet the game was a culmination of years of hard work.
The 20-year-old joined the Hawks with pick 50 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, and after a year of development at VFL level, earned his maiden call-up on the morning of the game after Jonathon Ceglar withdrew due to a back spasm.
“It was good to get out there, but it would have been a lot nicer if we could have held on at the end," Pittonet said post-game.
"It was a bit of a thrill. It was only the second time I’ve ever been on the middle of the MCG.
"Last time was when we won the flag last year, so it was pretty good to be out there again."
The crowd was "a lot bigger" than any he's ever played in front of, and Pittonet had no time to soak it in.
He was straight into the thick of the action, rucking the first centre bounce, before finishing with six disposals and seven hit-outs playing a supporting role to Ben McEvoy.
The Xavier College and Oakleigh Chargers product had his guernsey presented to him pre-game by ruck coach Damian Monkhorst, with whom Pittonet has had a close relationship since joining the Hawks.
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