With a win under his belt on AFL debut, the script for Adelaide teenager Sam Berry could not have played out any better.

The Maffra product finished Saturday’s game against Geelong with eight disposals, three clearances, two inside 50s and a team-high seven tackles, five of which came in a frenzied opening stanza.

A young Adelaide side came to play against the Cats, recording 25 tackles in the first term to enter quarter time with a 13-point lead before extending it to 38 points at the main break.

While Geelong staged a comeback in the second half, the Crows held on for a 12-point win, with Berry crediting a strong crowd at Adelaide Oval for energising the home side.

“A lot of it was probably the crowd. They were just absolutely unreal,” Berry told AFC Media post-game.

“Biggest crowd I’ve played in (front of), it definitely gives you the upper edge.

“It was almost deafening. The fact that the support was all for us was just absolutely unbelievable.

“I think we just brought the heat, which is what we intended to do.”

Berry was thrown straight into the fire against a star-studded Cats midfield, attending 14 centre bounces against a quartet of All-Australians in Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Cam Guthrie and Shaun Higgins.

The 19-year-old said it was surreal being in the engine room alongside such high calibre players, both on the opposition side and teammates like Rory Laird and Rory Sloane.

“Growing up, watching them on TV, they’re absolute superstars,” Berry said.

“Playing with them, and against them, was a surreal feeling.

“It’s all been a pretty mind-blowing experience, but absolutely loved it.”