READ MORE - AFL DEBUT - Jack Ginnivan to play first game for Collingwood on Friday night

CASTLEMAINE'S Jack Ginnivan says he felt comfortable at the elite level after living out his childhood dream of playing his first AFL game for Collingwood on Friday night.

Ginnivan debuted for the Magpies in their 28-point loss to Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.

Playing in the forward line, 18-year-old Ginnivan started on the ground and had seven disposals, took three marks and laid one tackle in the 14.13 (97) to 10.9 (69) defeat as he became the 61^st player drafted from the Bendigo Pioneers to play an AFL game.

"Once I got the ball in hand I felt really comfortable at the level," Ginnivan said on Saturday.

"I'll go into the club on Monday and sit down with the forwards coach and go through the game and re-assess what I've got to get better at and, hopefully, go again next week against West Coast."

Ginnivan is in his first season at Collingwood after being selected by the Magpies at last year's Rookie Draft.

Following strong form in the VFL in recent weeks having kicked 11 goals in Collingwood's previous three games, Ginnivan was rewarded with his senior call-up alongside another Magpies' debutante, Irishman Anton Tohill.

While thrilled with the chance to play his first AFL game, the timing was somewhat bittersweet for Ginnivan given the Victorian lockdown and no crowd at the game, meaning he didn't have family or friends at Marvel Stadium for his memorable night.

"It was a special night, but obviously disappointing that mum and dad (Debbie and Craig) and all my friends couldn't be there, but it was really enjoyable," Ginnivan said.

"Mum and dad were disappointed they couldn't be there, but they were just happy for me to be able to play a game even if it was in front of no-one. It was still a great night."

The first step in Ginnivan's path to the AFL was with the Winters Flat Junior Football Club as an eight-year-old where his team-mates included another future draftee, Kane Farrell.

Had it not been for a season-ending knee injury earlier this month, Port Adelaide's Farrell would have been on the opposing team to Ginnivan on Friday night.

"It would have been great had Kane been able to be out there as well Friday night. I was speaking to him during the week and he has been really supportive through my whole journey from when I was at Winter's Flat through to now," Ginnivan said.

"We've stayed in close contact and he has been a real mentor for me, which I really appreciate."

As well as Winter's Flat, Ginnivan's football journey has also taken in stints at Newstead, Castlemaine and Golden Square at junior level and the Bendigo Pioneers and Strathfieldsaye.

Ginnivan's debut on Friday night came on the back of him having been a Magpies' emergency for the previous two games against Carlton and Richmond.

"It was a real motivation being an emergency for those couple of weeks. After the first week I sat down with Banger (Robert Harvey, coach) about what I needed to get better at and what it takes to play at that elite level," Ginnivan said.

"I was able to take that back to the VFL level the next week and probably had my best game against Richmond and I've been able to go from there.

"I've really enjoyed the year... I've always dreamed of playing AFL football and it has been great to build relationships with everyone at the club.

"Superstars who you didn't know six months ago you can now call your mates, so it has been a really good experience and, hopefully, I can stay here for a few more years yet."

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