AFTER starting as the club’s medical sub for the opening six games of the season, Toby Bedford was given his chance to impress on Saturday evening; and he took it.

With five Demons withdrawn from the side due to the AFL’s Health and Safety Protocols, the small forward got an opportunity which he hadn’t had since 2020: to play a full senior game.

Melbourne’s clash with the Hawks marked Bedford’s ninth match, but just his fourth actual run, and he thoroughly enjoyed his time on the MCG.

“To finally come in and get the win was unreal,” he said post-match.

There were undoubtedly some nerves for the 21-year-old early in the game, but they were quickly settled when he converted a set shot – the first major of his career – in the first term.

“I just remember getting it and freaking out for a bit and then just going through my routine and executing,” Bedford said.

Fate repeated for the classy right-footer in the third quarter, as he streamed inside 50 and slotted his second.

And the celebration was equally as impressive.

“That was unreal – stoked with that one as well,” he said.

While Bedford’s nine-disposal, two-goal effort was enough to put a smile on fans’ faces, it was his work without the ball which may have been most valuable.

Replacing Kysaiah Pickett and Alex Neal-Bullen in the forward line, Bedford had a job to do as a pressure player, and he performed that perfectly.

“We don’t always get credit, but we make the most of our opportunities,” Bedford said.

“Spargs (Charlie Spargo), Nibs (Neal-Bullen), Koz (Pickett), myself and Chin (Kade Chandler) over the past six weeks, we’ve all been trying to do the best we can.”

While Bedford was given enough notice to be primed for the Round 7 match, it wasn’t the ideal build up for the Demons who had changes aplenty late in the week.

But he was comfortable with how the group handled the challenges that were thrown their way.

“We just went through our preparation,” he said.

“We tried to block all the COVID stuff out and keep preparing for the game as best we can.

“I think all the boys did really well.”

To hear more from Bedford, watch the interview below: