Tom Green chases Geelong champion Joel Selwood.

GIANTS debutant Tom Green didn't have a massive night in his side's win over Geelong on Saturday night, but his coach was more than encouraged by his first-up effort.

Green, the No.10 pick from last year's NAB AFL draft and a product of the GIANTS academy, gathered six possessions and two clearances in the GIANTS' 32-point win after starting the match on the bench.

Coach Leon Cameron had no hesitation sending Green in for centre bounces against the Cats and the teenager played his role without being a standout on the night.

Cameron said the first-gamer had a tough initiation but passed with flying colours.

"I mean, he came on in the first quarter and had (Patrick) Dangerfield and (Joel) Selwood standing next to him (in the centre square), and that’s a big ask," he said post-match.

"His composure got better and better as the game went on, we put him forward and he had some really good moments.

"We're really rapt with how he's going.

"It's a unique set of circumstances for him (to debut), his parents and his family got in to watch him which was great."

The Cats took it right up to the GIANTS, who threatened to break the game open on multiple occasions, and while frustrated, coach Chris Scott was philosophical after the loss.

"They're a high-quality team and I thought we competed really well and gave ourselves a chance until late into the game, we just couldn't convert like they did, and not many teams can," he said.

"There was a stage there where they nailed goals that not many teams do.

"It felt like our mistakes were capitalized on by a really clinical opposition.

"Their skill level was sublime at times especially in the forward half.

"Sometimes as a coaching group we get frustrated at what we're not doing to stop them, but other times you've just got to take your hat off to them."