You could forgive Tim McIntyre for being overawed in his AFL debut, having been thrown into the pressure-packed Showdown arena after little more than eight months on the Crows list.

But the hard-working 23-year-old looked at ease in the opening minutes, taking full advantage of a free-kick to slot his first career goal, joining the illustrious group of players to register a goal with their first kick.

“I did the same thing at Sturt. When I debuted in the SANFL against Centrals my first kick was a goal. I was just lucky on Saturday night that I was at the bottom of the pack and got one in the back and I went back and kicked the goal,” McIntyre said.

The mature-age recruit said he was able to control his nerves when lining up for that first goal, adding that he wasn’t affected by the occasion.

“I just went back and went through my normal routine, I blocked everything else out and it went through…I didn’t really take much notice of the crowd, when you’re out there you get caught up in the moment.”

McIntyre has endured a tough road to get his first opportunity at AFL level, having been overlooked at the National Draft as an 18-year-old. He also suffered a serious knee injury that required a full knee-reconstruction, and then decided to relocate from his native New South Wales to join SANFL Club Sturt.

“It’s been a bit of a journey. It’s different to most kids who get picked up at eighteen. I was a bit different, I played in the Under-18 Championship with ‘Tex’ Walker and Tony Armstrong who was here and then didn’t get picked up," he said.

“I played a year back home (Corowa) and then came over here for Sturt and hit some good form last season and continued it through into this year.”

The nuggetty forward who has been labelled ‘mini-Porps’ by coach Brenton Sanderson, said it was an amazing opportunity to make his long-awaited debut, particularly in a highly touted Showdown.

“It was an unbelievable experience. I’m used to playing in front of around five thousand people in the SANFL, to then play on AAMI Stadium in front of thirty five thousand was a real buzz when I ran out there," he said.

“I just tried to play my natural game and not do too much and I was lucky to get a few touches early on. When we lost Shaun McKernan and Kurt Tippett I had to play more of a deeper role, but yeah it was good.”

With a number of key Adelaide players in line to return from injury, McIntyre understands there is pressure for spots, but remains hopeful of lining up to take on GWS in round 16.

“It’s out of my control, but I’ll just do everything that I can do to give myself every opportunity.”