The number 24 on Max Duffy’s back carried some deep motivation for the AFL debutant at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night.

It was on the 24th day of January in 2011 when one of his best mates, 17-year-old Stephen Rigg, passed away in his father Phil’s arms at Royal Perth Hospital.

Eight days earlier the budding Perth Cricket Club star had suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the pitch at Fletcher Park while batting.

Duffy received number 24 after Freo drafted him in 2012 which signified the day Stephen had passed. He keeps a memorial card from Stephen’s funeral in his locker.

The 21-year-old forward also donated half of Saturday’s match payment to HeartKids Western Australia, a charity dedicated to providing support, encouragement and hope to families of children with heart disease.

An emotional Duffy was visibly moved when asked about his friend after the game in Geelong.

When he collected himself, he couldn’t get a lot out, but it was clear what Stephen meant to him.

“I’m going to donate half my match payment to HeartKids WA on behalf of Stephen,” Duffy said.

“I’m proud, proud to have done it. It’s been a long build but I'm proud to have played and to have done it for him is very good.”

Phil Rigg made the long trip to Geelong to watch his son’s mate realise a dream.

After family, he was the second person Duffy called last week to reveal the news of his debut.

“He rang me in my office on Thursday, and that’s when I became a Dockers’ fan,” Rigg said.

“He could have played it at Subiaco but chose Geelong, so we travelled across the other side of Australia, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

“Max and Stephen have been great mates all the way through, and Max kept on coming into hospital seeing him, wishing him well and trying to get him better, but he just couldn’t.”

Duffy kicked two goals after coming on as the substitute in the third quarter, which Rigg said would have left Stephen incredibly proud.

“I know my son was looking down on him tonight, hence I think Max played pretty well,” he said.

Rigg said his family has been blown away by Max wearing the number 24 and the gesture to donate half of his match payment.

“For a young man of Max’s age, it is just a phenomenal thing to do and I’m so very thankful for it,” he said.

“It really does give you faith in the young community coming through. Max is a quality bloke, always has been, always will be.

“It just means everything to us because every day is a struggle with us to get through for my wife and my other son Benjamin, and for this to happen is just fantastic.”