There’s no easy way for any player to manage their nerves ahead of their AFL debut, but Lachie Schultz said he was helped by two teammates keeping an eye out for him in the lead-up to his big day.

Schultz impressed in his first AFL appearance with two goals, 17 disposals and six marks as Fremantle romped to an 82-point victory at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Schultz said a pre-game chat to fellow small forwards Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters helped him stay calm.

At 21, the mature aged recruit made his debut at the same age as Ballantyne, while Walters was 22 when he broke back into Fremantle’s starting line-up after a stint in the WAFL.

“Ballas and Sonny both came up and had a chat to me before the game,” Schultz said.

“Ballas made his debut at 21 years old as well and they knew what I was going through up to this point of my career.”

Schultz said the moment helped him gain perspective as he starts his career.

“They really helped me focus on the game before and how to handle my nerves and stuff like that,” Schultz said.

“If I could have half the career of either of them, I’d be absolutely rapt, so it’s a good start.”