From being told the news he’d be debuting, to running out in a North Melbourne jumper; it was a pretty amazing couple of days for Jack Mahony.

When the Roos’ initial squad was announced on Thursday night, Mahony was named on the extended interchange bench and had a nervous wait ahead.

Usually, the final team is announced at 5pm on Friday, but a last-minute Microsoft Teams call was added to the players’ calendars a few hours earlier.

There wasn't any context provided, but the Roos' list were glued to their screens. 

“I didn’t really know I was going to be part of it, but then ‘Shawry’ (Rhyce Shaw) got me on screen and told me I’d be debuting. All the lads started yelling, so it was a pretty cool way to find out you’re playing,” Mahony told North Media.

“I had a vague idea that maybe he’d be saying something, but then when he told me to get on screen I was pretty nervous, but excited. It was a great experience.”

It was one of the more unusual ways to find out about your AFL debut, but it’s a situation that is becoming somewhat the norm in 2020.

“It was unreal for sure (hearing the news). It’s something I’ve probably dreamed of since I was playing Auskick when I was five or six,” Mahony said.

“Getting told that and all the lads getting around you was a really great feeling.”

Mahony had some impressive moments in Sunday night's game, particularly early, with a cool head under pressure in several key plays.

He drew praise from commentator Garry Lyon, and while he admits he would have liked to find a little bit more of the footy, there’s plenty to build from.

“It got the confidence up a bit getting the hands on the ball early. You always want to get that first touch out of the way as soon as you can,” Mahony added.

“Just getting the Shinboner number and putting on the jumper for the first time in an AFL game was something that I’ll never forget.”

Stay tuned for the full video interview, available on NMFC.com.au and the NMFC App a little later.