FEW, if any, have waited longer to make their VFL debut than James Freeman, but it was well and truly worth the wait.
Freeman, who has been on the Casey Demons list since 2016, finally pulled on the guernsey for the first time last week against Geelong and was a part of a stunning comeback victory.
“It was absolutely unbelievable,” Freeman told Melbourne Media.
“The boys just kept grinding away and in that last quarter we had the momentum and just did it.
“It was awesome to be a part of.”
The 22-year-old has been made to earn his stripes, and was finally rewarded for his dedication, lining up against the Cats at GMHBA Stadium.
“This is my third year, so that was my first senior game in three years,” Freeman said.
“It’s been a bit of a grind but it’s all worth it.”
The Round 16 VFL clash was a curtain raiser for Geelong and Melbourne’s AFL fixture, making for a hostile environment in the latter stages of the match.
“I had played there once before but nothing like that crowd,” Freeman said.
“Even at the end, it was just such a great vibe to be around.”
When Freeman arrived at the ground to play his first VFL game he was yet to meet a portion of his teammates.
The Melbourne-listed players aren’t able to regularly train with the Casey side, so it was an entirely new experience for Freeman.
“The boys were really, really good,” he said.
“The way they direct everyone, and how positive they are, it just makes it so easy to fit in with every one.
“They do an awesome job.”
Freeman has spent a lot of time on the Demons roster, but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the tall forward over his three-year career.
“I had a couple of setbacks with injuries but the coaching staff and all the guys behind the scenes do a massive power of work so they’ve got me back in there,” he said.
Due to the discontinuation of the VFL’s Development League, Freeman and other young footballers who don’t regularly play in the senior side are forced to strut their stuff for their local clubs in a bid to earn a call-up.
“Mount Eliza is my home club, so I’ve been playing some reasonable footy there, pretty consistent,” Freeman said.
“So it was really exciting to get a gig at Casey and even better to get a win.”
It was a dream debut for Freeman as the Demons recorded a three-point win, and he’s hoping to continue to play a role for the side in the back end of the season.
