FOR THE first three weeks of this season, without fail, Jay Kennedy-Harris knocked on Paul Roos' door determined to talk his coach into playing him for a full game.
The 19-year-old small forward was named substitute for the first three rounds, before finally receiving his opportunity to play four quarters in Melbourne's 23-point win over Carlton last Saturday.
"Kennedy-Harris came to me and said, 'Can I play this week? Can I play this week?" Roos said.
"I said, 'Leave it with me, I know the bloke who picks the team.'
"I said to him before the (Blues) game, 'Don't worry, I spoke to him (the coach, and) you're in'."
Roos' faith paid off as Melbourne broke through for its first win of the season, with fourth-gamer Kennedy-Harris a vital part of the result.
"As much as I enjoyed being the sub and getting a taste for it all, I wanted to get the full hit-out and feel what it was like to go through the full four quarters of AFL footy," Kennedy-Harris told AFL.com.au.
"I spoke to 'Roosy' and he was willing to give me a go, so I was really thankful.
"That's what Roosy's like, he's really approachable. I felt like I really wanted to play and I felt comfortable going up to him and just putting the question to him."
Standing at 173cm and weighing in at 68kg, the confident youngster is quickly earning a reputation for his pressure skills. Kennedy-Harris admits his "eyes light up" when he spots an unaware target, exemplified by a superb chase down tackle on Blues debutant Patrick Cripps.
"We're very big on pressure on the other team, but it's just a natural way that I play the game," Kennedy-Harris said.
"When the opposition's got the ball, I just go and hunt them because I want the ball for our team. I really enjoy playing that role."
Affectionately known to Demons supporters as 'JKH', the youngster also kicked his first AFL goal at the weekend.
However, his beautifully executed, bouncing snap at a critical juncture in the game brought about one of the most dulled-down celebrations you're ever likely to see.
Ignoring teammate Chris Dawes, who was calling for the handball, Kennedy-Harris kicked the goal but realised his 'mistake' straight away – prompting a well-deserved "spray" from the big forward.
"My natural instinct was to snap it, I didn't really have much time to do anything else," Kennedy-Harris said.
"I got up and I was a little bit disappointed, because 'Dawesy' was there for the hands and it was probably a little bit against what we go for as a team.
"We had nice laugh about it after the game and we're still laughing about it at the moment. It's just one of those things in footy when you're near goals and you get burnt like that, but we're definitely better off for it."
With the post-match celebrations in full swing, the youngster was ushered into the middle of the circle as players and coaches belted out the team song.
"It was awesome to sing the song. The Gatorade in the eyes probably stung a little bit, but it was worth it," he said.
"It was an awesome moment and I'll hold it pretty close to myself for a fair while."
