REGARDLESS of the result on Saturday night, Jason Holmes would have always remembered his AFL debut fondly.
However the fact the game was a draw made the occasion even more significant for the first born and raised American to play AFL.
Holmes collected seven disposals and notched a game-high 34 hit outs – a promising debut that illustrated how far he has come in under two years.
“I don’t even know if I can describe it at the moment, that’s the problem,” Holmes told 3AW Radio immediately after the game.
“It was exciting to be out there. The game moves so much faster than VFL but I think by the time the second half came around I was able to settle in and understand the ball movement a little bit better.
“It was pretty nice to play with no wind and no rain. It was pretty predictable.”
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Unbeknownst to Holmes, his father Kevin was on the line listening to the interview and chimed in with his thoughts.
“Hey man congratulations. I love you and great job. You looked like you belonged out there,” Kevin Holmes said from Chicago.
“I watched it in my office at work. I got the AFL footy package and I spoke with my wife on the phone the whole game.
“It’s very hard to put in to words. I’m so proud of him and so proud of what he’s accomplished. I know this is just the tip of the iceberg and there is so much more he is going to offer the game.”
While Jason Holmes is unsure if he will be given another game in round 22 against Sydney, he admitted it would be a dream come true to go head-to-head with Canadian ruckman Mike Pyke if selected.
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“That will be pretty exciting to hopefully play against Mike Pyke,” he said.
“He was one of the inspirations when I first started trying to play. It will be great to come up against him.”
Meanwhile, Kevin and Mary Holmes are expected to arrive in Melbourne mid-week – pending selection of course.
“We’ve already made the arrangements,” Kevin said.
“So I will probably be on a flight on Wednesday and arrive Thursday.”
Photo: Dave Savell
