Myles Poholke was able to share the biggest occasion of his football career so far with a friend who joined him on the journey well before they became teammates at Adelaide.

On Friday night, Poholke was selected to make his AFL debut alongside second-gamer Jordan Gallucci.

Poholke and Gallucci got to know each other in junior ranks, and their bond strengthened when they were recruited by the Crows with the Club’s first two picks in the 2016 AFL National Draft.

The pair walked out onto the SCG for the first time side by side pre-game and enjoyed Adelaide’s 10-point win over the Sydney Swans together with family and friends in the rooms afterwards.

“I’ve known Jordy for four or five years now. We went through the (AFL) Academy together and formed a pretty close bond from early days,” Poholke said.

“I texted him on the day (I found out I was going to make my debut) and he didn’t know I was playing yet. He said he was playing and I was pretty quick to tell him that I was playing as well.

“It was really great to be able to share that moment with him.”

After 18 months of consistent form at SANFL level and being named an emergency on a few occasions, Poholke knew he was edging closer to a senior debut.

However, the goalkicking midfielder wasn’t expecting that news when coach Don Pyke phoned early in the week.

“I never thought I was a chance (this week), to be honest. When ‘Pykey’ called me on Tuesday, I was just praying that I wasn’t travelling emergency!” he said.

“To get the call up this week was unbelievable and to get the win was the cherry on top.”

Poholke finished with 10 disposals, four inside 50ms and four tackles in his first AFL outing.

He was strong overhead and at the contest, involved in a passage of play that led to a Crows goal at a crucial stage of the last quarter.

With the slippery ball on the ground about 15 metres out from Adelaide’s goal, Poholke battled a couple of Swans to get the ball to Josh Jenkins who showed strength to force a handball to captain Taylor Walker on the goal line. Walker kicked his fourth goal and extended his team’s lead to 21 points.

“You just put your body on the line, I think you have to at that stage in the game,” Poholke said.

“I’ll do anything for the team and to, hopefully, help us get the win.”

Poholke, 19, also won a contest against Coleman Medal leader and Swans superstar Lance Franklin.

“You dream of these things as a young boy, so to be out there with the likes of Buddy Franklin … I was a bit star struck but I was glad we got the job done in the end.”

Poholke had to wait nearly a full 12 months longer than Gallucci, who debuted against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last season, for his first taste of AFL.

The Sorrento teenager finished top 10 in Adelaide’s SANFL Club Champion award in his first year and believes his experience at State League level helped prepare him for the next step.

“It’s tough at times, watching your mates play (AFL) at other clubs when you’re not, but I figured I’m at the best club in Australia, so just take your chance whenever you get it,” he said.

“It’s been unbelievable. The boys are amazing and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Poholke’s former housemate, Hugh Greenwood, was given the responsibility of presenting the Dandenong Stingrays best and fairest winner with his No.10 guernsey.

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The usually cool Greenwood appeared more nervous than Poholke in the special moment.

“Hughy just couldn’t put his words together and had to start again!” Poholke said with a laugh.

“He mumble jumbled a little bit, but we got there in the end.”

Proud mum, Daina, was also part of the presentation but Poholke joked that her favourite part of the whole experience occurred post-game.

“Mum met Lleyton Hewitt, so that was the highlight of her night,” he said.

“It’ll always be (remembered as) the night she met Lleyton Hewitt rather than the day I debuted!

“No, they (my family) loved it and I’ve got a couple of mates here as well who are absolutely ecstatic for me.

“It’s been great.”