ROOKIE Daniel Nicholson will make his AFL debut against Carlton on Friday night at the MCG.
The versatile 20-year-old was told on Thursday morning, shortly before coach Dean Bailey’s scheduled media conference, that he would be playing his first AFL match this round.
Upon receiving his news, Nicholson joined Bailey at his media conference, explaining how it happened all of a sudden.
“I was playing pool in the social room and one of the boys came and got me and said ‘Bails wanted to speak to me’,” he said.
“So he called me into the office and he let me know that I’d be playing Friday.
“I’ll be starting as the sub I believe, but you don’t know whether you’ll be on the first [quarter] or the last [term], so we’ll just wait and see.”
Nicholson said he had a hunch he could get a call-up this week, but he still experienced “a few butterflies” when told of his news.
Although there wasn’t much time between Nicholson finding out and the media conference, he quickly found time to ring his parents. He said his Mum was “hysterical” when she found out about his news.
Despite being a Hawthorn and Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin fan growing up, Nicholson said he had been inspired by underrated Demon Clint Bartram since arriving at Melbourne.
“Internally, Clint Bartram plays defensive mid, half-back and he’s one that’s really helped me out lately,” he said.
“I’ve got to have a chat to him about a few Carlton boys.”
Bailey said Nicholson had justified his section with some outstanding form in the VFL - just like fellow rookie Michael Evans did to earn his debut last round.
“Michael Evans was in good form and Nico’s form has probably been just as good,” he said.
“One of the good parts of the job is not only making the call on draft day … but when you can sit down with a player and let him know he’s playing his first game. I’m sure there are some emotions running wild within him.
“We wish him all the best and he deserves his chance and one thing we know we’ll get from Nico is 100 per cent during the game.”
Bailey said Nicholson, who was Melbourne first selection (No.14 overall) in last December’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft, had developed strongly since arriving from University Blues.
“He’s a good story in regards to the development and the progress of some of our guys on our list and he’s developed significantly in the last four or five weeks,” he said.
“His form has got better and better each week and he’s developed in two or three roles, which has seen his flexibility grow.
“He’s a very determined young man and he’s a mature-age rookie, rather than being an 18-year-old and he’s very excited by the opportunity and we know he’ll take it with both hands.”
The versatile 20-year-old was told on Thursday morning, shortly before coach Dean Bailey’s scheduled media conference, that he would be playing his first AFL match this round.
Upon receiving his news, Nicholson joined Bailey at his media conference, explaining how it happened all of a sudden.
“I was playing pool in the social room and one of the boys came and got me and said ‘Bails wanted to speak to me’,” he said.
“So he called me into the office and he let me know that I’d be playing Friday.
“I’ll be starting as the sub I believe, but you don’t know whether you’ll be on the first [quarter] or the last [term], so we’ll just wait and see.”
Nicholson said he had a hunch he could get a call-up this week, but he still experienced “a few butterflies” when told of his news.
Although there wasn’t much time between Nicholson finding out and the media conference, he quickly found time to ring his parents. He said his Mum was “hysterical” when she found out about his news.
Despite being a Hawthorn and Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin fan growing up, Nicholson said he had been inspired by underrated Demon Clint Bartram since arriving at Melbourne.
“Internally, Clint Bartram plays defensive mid, half-back and he’s one that’s really helped me out lately,” he said.
“I’ve got to have a chat to him about a few Carlton boys.”
Bailey said Nicholson had justified his section with some outstanding form in the VFL - just like fellow rookie Michael Evans did to earn his debut last round.
“Michael Evans was in good form and Nico’s form has probably been just as good,” he said.
“One of the good parts of the job is not only making the call on draft day … but when you can sit down with a player and let him know he’s playing his first game. I’m sure there are some emotions running wild within him.
“We wish him all the best and he deserves his chance and one thing we know we’ll get from Nico is 100 per cent during the game.”
Bailey said Nicholson, who was Melbourne first selection (No.14 overall) in last December’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft, had developed strongly since arriving from University Blues.
“He’s a good story in regards to the development and the progress of some of our guys on our list and he’s developed significantly in the last four or five weeks,” he said.
“His form has got better and better each week and he’s developed in two or three roles, which has seen his flexibility grow.
“He’s a very determined young man and he’s a mature-age rookie, rather than being an 18-year-old and he’s very excited by the opportunity and we know he’ll take it with both hands.”
