Two young men with incredibly different paths to the big time upped the number of Tasmanian first-gamers in 2019 to three over the weekend.
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There was no time for any fanfare when the state's top draft pick in last year's national draft at pick eight, Tarryn Thomas, was given his opportunity, coming in as a late change to the North Melbourne side that fell to Brisbane on Sunday.
Floating around the ground, the 19-year-old finished with 10 touches at 80 per cent disposal efficiency rate, three marks, two clearances, three tackles, 1.0 and four score involvements.
His set-shot goal was set up by fellow Tasmanian Aaron Hall, with Thomas also involved with an incident with someone with a strong connection to the state.
He was the victim of a strong tackle from Luke Hodge (the games record holder at Launceston's UTAS Stadium), which attracted the attention of his teammates.
Hall, of Hobart, was dynamic early with a 19-possession first half, but the close attention of Brisbane's hard-nut from Lauderdale Mitch Robinson saw him finish with just seven more possessions.
Hall went at an 81 per cent disposal efficiency rate for his 26 touches (22 uncontested), with eight marks, two tackles, 1.0, three goal assists and nine score involvements, while Robinson had 22 touches, six marks, one clearance, three tackles, 1.0, two goal assists and eight score involvements.
Devonport's Ben Brown had an enthralling contest with Brisbane's Harris Andrews, kicking 3.2 and having six score involvements from 10 touches and five marks.
Two-time North Launceston premiership player Jay Lockhart joined Thomas in making his AFL debut after the 23-year-old made his way onto the Melbourne's list in the Supplementary Selection Period via Casey in the VFL.
He also joined Thomas in kicking a goal in his first outing in the big time when he slotted a major on the run in the Demon's loss to the Cats with what his first kick in the AFL.
He finished with six touches, two marks and three tackles.
The clash in Geelong also saw Launceston twins Jake and Kade Kolodjashnij come up against each other in the field of battle for one of the few times in their careers.
Jake, and his side, won that battle, with the Geelong defender collecting 18 touches (12 uncontested and five intercepts), one clearance, three tackles, one goal assist and two score assists playing on Christian Petracca.
Kade, whose pre-season was limited due to an adductor issue, had just five touches, two marks and four tackles playing on the wing on debut for Melbourne.
Hall and Lockhart join Launceston's Chayce Jones as Tasmanian first-gamers this season, with Jones again impressing at the level in Adelaide's win over Sydney.
The 19-year-old looked dangerous in the Crows' front-half, who like Lockhart is the owner of a goal from his first kick, had 12 touches, nine kicks, two marks, one clearance, 0.3 and eight score involvements.
Glenorchy's Jimmy Webster impressed in St Kilda's upset win over Essendon, playing on Orazio Fantasia and collecting 21 touches at 76 per cent disposal efficiency, seven marks and three score involvements from defence.
Launceston's Thomas Bellchambers put in an improved performance in the ruck for the Bombers, with 10 touches, four marks, 41 hit-outs, 1.0, one goal assist and seven score involvements.
Speaking of ruckmen, Lauderdale's Andrew Phillips was strong in Carlton's loss to Port Adelaide with 15 touches, four marks, two tackles, 29 hit-outs and three score involvements.
North Hobart's Liam Jones played on Paddy Ryder in defence for the Blues, and had nine touches, three marks, three marks, two tackles and one score involvement.
Burnie's Lachie Weller was one of Gold Coast's best in the Suns' tight win over Fremantle.
Spending plenty of time in defence, Weller had 22 touches at 82 per cent disposal efficiency, seven marks, two tackles and three score involvements.
In the Dockers' back-line, Ulverstone's Alex Pearce had 12 touches (eight contested and nine intercepts) and one tackle playing on Peter Wright.
The round started with former Burnie Docker Brody Mihocek playing a key role in Collingwood's win over Richmond.
Mihocek kicked 2.1, two goal assists and nine score involvements to go with a career-best 20 touches, 12 marks (also a career-high) and three tackles playing on Nick Vlastuin.
Teammate Jeremy Howe, of Dodges Ferry, was impressive with 14 marks (three of them intercepts), 19 possessions, one tackle and six score involvements.
It was a dirty night for Jack Riewoldt with 11 touches, two marks, four clearances and two score involvements on a night where he was forced to help out in the ruck, which ended with him suffering a fracture of his radius and ruptured a ligament in his wrist, which is set to sideline him for four weeks.
Toby Nankervis of George Town, again had his colours lowered by Brodie Grundy, winning 23 hit-outs (just four to advantage), to go with his 15 touches, four marks, four tackles, four clearances, one goal assist and two score involvements.
Burnie's Maverick Weller had 16 touches (10 uncontested), four marks and one score involvement in his second game for the Tigers.