Ethan Stanley may have only played one quarter when debuting as a sub against Sydney on Saturday night, but the 19-year-old still had the time of his life in front of 42,433 fans at Optus Stadium.
From just 14 per cent game time, the winger had five disposals, one goal assist, one clearance, four score involvements and 136 metres gained as he impressed in his first taste of AFL football.
The debut came just one year from playing under 19 amateur football for Frankston. From there he made his VFL debut for Box Hill to start 2023 before getting picked up by Fremantle in the mid-season draft.
Stanley said he was inspired playing in front of such a big crowd just a year on from playing in front of under a hundred people in his local league.
“That was easily the best experience of my life with footy, especially going from local footy to running out in front of 40 odd thousand. It is something I’ll never forget,” Stanley said.
“Running out with the boys, you hear that roar and see the smoke going off, it really pumps you up and I can see how the home crowd can advantage a team. It was unreal.”
Stanley said he gained confidence just from having his teammates pass him the ball.
“When the boys feed you the ball, it gives you that confidence that you’re out here for a reason,” Stanley said.
“I was just lucky enough to get my hands on the ball. I think that really helped me mentally to know that I’m meant to be out there.
“Now I have a taste of it, I can push towards getting there every week, if not, the rest of the year and next year.
“It’s good I’ve got that first game out of the way so I don’t have to be as nervous as today. There’s a heap of benefits.”
Stanley had a handful of friends and family fly over from the eastern states for the game, including his parents and partner.
“I’m so happy they’re here,” Stanley said.
“Having family back at home come over just makes you know they care about you a lot.
“It just makes you happy as well as you get to see them before and after the game. It’s a moment I wanted to share with them all.”
Vice captain Andrew Brayshaw praised the efforts of his young teammates.
“Ethan Stanley making his debut was pretty special. He had an impact straight away, I thought he looked really composed out there,” Brayshaw said.
“It wouldn’t be easy being the mid-season pickup. He started in the (WAFL) ressies and played his first league game and now he’s just debuted in the AFL.
“It’s been a big couple of months for him but he’s just been trying to learn as much as he can, build relationships with the lads and he’s already built a lot of trust.
“The guys were backing him in today and he looked really dangerous when he got the ball and hopefully we see more of him.”
