JOSH Head finally made the AFL debut he has been waiting years for and is now hoping to prove that he has what it takes.

The dashing Fremantle defender was on Fremantle's rookie list in 2002-03, but when cut felt his AFL dream was over.

However, he returned to South Fremantle with a professional attitude and has become one of the most damaging WAFL players.

As a result, Fremantle drafted him at the 2008 NAB Pre-season Draft and after a blistering first half of the season with South Fremantle, he made his debut in the four-point loss to Essendon at Subiaco Oval.

The 25-year-old enjoyed the experience and with Steven Dodd and Antoni Grover doing well on Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas, he enjoyed being part of the defensive unit.

"During the year there have been times where I thought I could play my first game, but then circumstances came up where I didn’t. This week with a few defenders out I thought I'd be a chance and that's the way it turned out," Head said.

"Leading up to the game I wasn’t too nervous and when I was out there I felt fine. There was no time to relax, though, and the work rate was a big step up from WAFL level. The hardest thing was that there was no time where you could switch off or stop running.

"Our back line did well to stop them, but we probably could have run off more. I told myself to play like I do at Souths and I did that at times. Once I get the confidence at this level I'll try to do it more."

Head thought he had run his race at AFL level while playing superb football with South Fremantle over 2006-07, but now he hopes to receive more opportunities to prove himself at AFL level.

"To be honest I thought my chances were gone at my age. I was just enjoying my WAFL footy, which hopefully meant I was playing well and then I got picked up again," he said.

"The coaches never quite know how you can play until you get an opportunity and hopefully I can prove to them that I'm capable. I'd love to get more opportunities to show what I can do, but we will have to wait and see."

While he would love to cement a spot in the Fremantle side over the last eight games, he is looking forward to another finals crack with South Fremantle. He missed the Bulldogs premiership in 2005, but has played in a losing grand and preliminary final to Subiaco the last two years.

"South is an unbelievable club and I love it. [Coach] John Dimmer down there just lets you play, which means you go out feeling confident and he always backs you as long as you have a crack. He has been a huge influence on my career," he said.

"Subi has finished us off the last two years and once again this year they are tough, but on our day we could beat them. Souths is in second, but still need to cement our finals spot and hopefully we get there and with a second chance."