Young Crow Elliott Himmelberg was given a warm welcome to the big stage when he kicked his first ever AFL goal in his debut match against Carlton on Saturday night.

After missing his first set shot within the opening 10 minutes, the 20-year-old slotted his first AFL major on the run and under pressure just before half-time in Adelaide’s 104-win over the Blues.

Standing at 198cm, the tall forward has spent the majority of 2018 in the Crows SANFL side, kicking 11 goals in his last five games.

With skipper Taylor Walker serving a suspension and forward Mitch McGovern moving into the backline, he was given his opportunity off the back of strong form in the SANFL in the last month.

The debutant finished the game with 13 disposals, eight handballs, five kicks and five marks.

Post-match, he talked us through the moments before he snagged his first goal.  

“I was nervous after I missed the first one but the second one was probably better because I didn’t have to think about it too much,” he said.

“I was going to give the hands to Tommy (Lynch) but someone was right behind him so I just had to kick it really.

“It happened really quickly, I sort of just looked up after kicking it and everyone was getting around me and rubbing my head.”

Comparing the level to what he has experienced in the SANFL, Elliott said it was a considerable step up.

“It’s definitely a higher intensity for longer that is maintained for pretty well the entire game and higher skills and rotation,” he said.

“I was excited leading up to the game and when we got to the grounds the nerves started kicking in but that’s all part of it.”

Himmelberg said older brother Harry, who plays as a key forward for GWS, gave his advice.

"He didn't have much to say, just to back myself. He was more pumped for me than anything, he told me to just 'play footy', and that's what I tried to do," he said.

With his family and friends by his side after the game, the former Queenslander said it felt just like home.

"Mum and Dad came down from Queensland to watch, and I had a few family members come down from Wagga Wagga – where I initially grew up – as well. It's more support than I usually get in Adelaide," he said.

 “Obviously we didn’t have the season we wanted to have but everyone really wanted to come and win and win well so it was really good to do that.”

Coach Don Pyke was pleased with the youngster’s first outing with the AFL side.

"It was good to give him a taste as well. It's always good to expose a young player to the game, so he gets a feel for it," he said.

"He's performed really well and didn't look out of place at all."