For every AFL player, making their debut is a special occasion, but for North Melbourne’s Tarryn Thomas it was that little bit more memorable.

The dynamic forward had a whirlwind 72 hours after leaving the track early on Thursday … not because of injury, but a very different reason.

“I left half-way through training on Thursday to go to VicRoads and go for my licence,” Thomas revealed to North Media.

Of course, it’s a huge milestone in any teenager’s life getting their license, but four days after his 19th birthday, Thomas had even greater ambitions.

“I called Brad (Scott) that night to see if I was playing or not, and he just told me to come in for the meeting on Saturday, because Trent Dumont was pretty sore from the Fremantle game,” he said.

“He said ‘come in because you might be playing, but just be prepared to play VFL if Trent gets through the fitness test’.

“He called me in ten minutes before the meeting and told me I was playing.”

A birthday, driving test and an AFL debut in one week; it’s fair to say it’s seven days he won’t be forgetting any time soon.

But rather than get overwhelmed, Thomas took it all in his stride. News of a debut the icing on the cake, so to speak.

“I was very happy, and I didn’t really think much of it at the time,” he said.

“Once all the boys got around me later than day at training it sunk in, and it was unreal.”

A graduate of the club’s Next Generation Academy in Tasmania, the 19-year-old already had exposure to North’s inner sanctum on game day.

Those experiences, in addition to featuring in the Roos’ pre-season matches, made him feel right at home.

“I had already been into the rooms for the Hobart games, and just having felt that vibe previously really helped,” Thomas said.

“Before the game I was thinking ‘how good is this?’, and I when I ran out, I was that happy.

“It was a dream come true.”

Growing up in Launceston meant that plans were quickly put in place by the club to have the draftee’s family at Marvel Stadium for the big occasion.

But some special loved ones were already in Melbourne, having celebrated his 18th birthday.

“My mum, my little brother and my girlfriend came into the rooms,” Thomas said.

“It was a really good feeling knowing that they had come to watch me on the big stage.

“It was pretty special to be honest.”

And when Thomas lined up to kick his first AFL goal, their reaction was priceless.

“I’ve seen the footage since, and they were very nervous,” he said.

“It’s a pretty funny and embarrassing, but that’s just what my mum does, so it was understandable.”

While his first goal and first disposal will be moments Thomas will remember, it was a tackle from veteran Luke Hodge that will be etched in his memory forever.

“When Hodge tackled me, all the boys stood up for me and I was happy with that,” he said.

“’Hodgey’ came up to me after the game and apologised, so that was all sweet.”

Now, Thomas is feeling sore and recovering from Sunday’s match, but with all the fanfare of one of the biggest week’s of his life now behind him, it’s the perfect time to reflect and unwind.

“The past week was like a dream, and I’m just starting to wake up from it,” he added.  

“It was an incredible feeling.”