For most young players, making your debut is the first time you run onto an AFL ground.

But this isn’t the case for GIANTS rookie Zach Sproule who’s been named to play in Saturday’s JLT Community Series match against West Coast in Narrandera.

Sproule first ran onto an AFL ground way back in 2011 when he was the GIANTS junior mascot for a pre-season game against North Melbourne in southern NSW.

As a 12-year old, Sproule ran onto the ground next to his current team mate Dylan Shiel who led out the GIANTS as captain.

The honour was a reward for Sproule, who was the GIANTS’ first foundation member in Albury ahead of the club’s inaugural season in the AFL in 2012.

Looking back on the eve of his first game for the GIANTS six years later, Sproule says it was one of his fondest childhood memories.

“I remember being so nervous getting to the ground and having a kick around with my Dad,” he said.

“I was then taking into the change rooms and was given some GIANTS gear to wear and meet Dylan and all the players.

“They were all terrific and it’s crazy to think that now I’m training next to guys like Shiel, Jeremy Cameron and Nathan Wilson who were on the list back then.”

Not long after this day in 2011, Sproule joined the GIANTS Academy as a 13-year old and had a decorated junior career before being selected by the GIANTS in the 2016 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game, Sproule said he can’t wait to pull on the GIANTS jumper.

“I’m really excited and couldn’t be happier,” he said.

“I think all the hard work I’ve done over the pre-season has paid off and it’s going to be really good to be sharing the experience with the other five draftees.”

GIANTS members with game access receive free entry (subject to capacity) and general admission tickets are available through Ticketek.