BAYLEY Fritsch says his first AFL game against the Cats at the MCG on Sunday was full of mixed emotions.

The 21-year-old started off in stunning fashion, when he almost kicked an outstanding running goal from the boundary.

Although his shot registered a behind, he followed up soon after with a gliding contested mark against two opponents, before converting with the first goal of the game.

Fritsch said it was a moment he’ll never forget, but playing in a narrow three-point loss was also tough to take.

“It was a great atmosphere out there. It was a dream come true,” he said.

“It was really high-pressure and good skills, and really loud out there – it was hard to hear. A couple of the boys warned me that I wouldn’t be able to hear much … you really have to yell.

“To come in at half-time and be down a little bit – we reset and changed the game plan a little bit, and got it back on our terms, but it was a really tough loss for us in the end.”

Fritsch said he had a host of family and friends watch him play his first game.

“It was good to get them along,” he said.

“I hope they enjoyed it, but it would’ve been better if we had have got the win.”