COREY Maynard says nothing could’ve prepared him for the build-up to his first AFL match.

The 25-year-old former NBL player made his debut for Melbourne against GWS Giants at UNSW Canberra Oval on Sunday and said it was a situation like nothing he had experienced.

“I couldn’t really prepare for it, because I’d be lying if I said that I expected it to come this quick,” he told Melbourne TV.

“I just wanted to get the game started and get it under way. I had to turn my phone off for the last couple of days, because it’s been going crazy.

“The amount of support that I’ve received has been going through the roof. I’ve got really good people around me and it was awesome to have Mum and Dad [at the ground].  

“Dad spoke really well when he presented the jumper [before the match] and there weren’t many dry eyes before the game. It was really nice what he had to say and it was a special moment that I’ll cherish forever.”

But Maynard acknowledged the day ended up being “bittersweet” as Melbourne went down to the Giants by 35 points.

“It was tough. We got off to a pretty good start in the first 10 minutes and then we just couldn’t hang onto it,” he said.

“[The tackle from Shane Mumford] was a bit of a nice welcome, but it was a step-up in the speed and intensity of it.

“As soon as you get [the ball], you’ve got to get rid of it – you don’t have much time out there, so that’s the one thing [I] need to adjust to – getting used to the speed and that’ll come with time. It was a massive thing – it was helter skelter out there – so it was good fun.

“In perspective, it was a dream come true to be out there, so there were mixed emotions.”

Although he earned praise from coach Simon Goodwin – who said Maynard’s 18 disposals and a goal were exactly what he expected from him – the son of former Melbourne player Peter and older brother Magpie Brayden wanted more.   

“[I thought it was] up and down. I came into the game at times and drifted out of it,” he said.

“That’s probably to be expected, but I’ve got high expectations of myself. I would’ve probably liked to have gone harder for longer, but I know that now for the future.

“It’s not the result we wanted as a footy club either, so that would’ve been nice to finish the debut with a win, but that happens – that’s sport. It has its ups and downs.

“I was pretty happy with how I went, but I would’ve rather had a win.”