Perez played in defence on debut as North Melbourne went down to ladder-leader Port Adelaide by six goals - 11.12 (78) to 6.6 (42).

The Sandhurst and Bendigo Pioneers product picked up nine possessions, took four marks and laid three tackles in an effort that drew praise from coach Rhyce Shaw.

"Flynn Perez didn't look out of place at all,'' Shaw said at his post-match press conference.

"I was rapt for him and he saw out the game really well."

After club skipper Jack Ziebell presented him with his jumper before the game, Perez's debut was a baptism of fire against the top team, but he didn't let the occasion get the better of him.

Midway through the second quarter Port Adelaide big man Charlie Dixon took Perez down with a bone crunching tackle.

Perez didn't shirk the issue, got straight to his feet and ran to the next contest.

Just before half-time he stood his ground on the wing and took a courageous chest mark with a pack bearing down behind him.

The North Melbourne defence was under immense pressure for a large percentage of the night and Perez played his role strongly.

He spent time matched up on Zak Butters, Cam Sutcliffe and fellow former Pioneers player Kane Farrell.

Butters was the only player out of the three to kick a goal and Perez wasn't on him at that stage of the gamee

Perez's quick hands were the most impressive component of his debut game.

The 19-year-old will spend this week in recovery mode to prepare for the Roos' next match against the Fremantle Dockers at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

North Melbourne's season concludes against the West Coast Eagles.

Read more: Sandhurst to cheer on Perez in AFL debut

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