GIANTS ruckman Matt Flynn vividly remembers walking onto the AFL's most hallowed turf as an awe struck child taking a tour of the MCG.

On Sunday, Flynn will take the field for the first time in an AFL game at the iconic venue and square off against Hawthorn captain Ben McEvoy.

All going to plan, the match will pale in comparison to future milestones.

But it will nonetheless be a special moment, with the 23-year-old realising a childhood dream that grew while making regular pilgrimages from the Riverina town of Narrandera to Melbourne's sporting cathedral.

"My old man and his best mate used to to take my best mate and I down to Melbourne for Dreamtime at the G' or the Anzac game, every year," Flynn said.

"On the tour, just getting to walk alongside the boundary felt pretty amazing.

"It's surreal to think I'll run out there.

"It's been a long time coming but I think that extended apprenticeship has held me in good stead.

"This season has been really exciting and a steep learning curve."

The ruckman debuted in round one, having waited some 1944 days since being drafted by the GIANTS in 2015.

Flynn was on the cusp of a call-up in 2019, only to tear his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while stepping on a teammate's leg during a reserves game.

The big man's previous MCG visit, prior to Thursday's training session, came while nursing his reconstructed knee and mixed emotions in the stands during the 2019 grand final.

The GIANTS' lopsided loss in that game was in front of a 100,014-strong crowd, marking the league's final moment of normality before COVID-19 hit.

"A lot has changed since," Flynn said.

Flynn spent most of 2020 playing 10-a-side or 12-a-side scratch matches, making it tricky to convince coach Leon Cameron he was ready for the rigours of AFL.

But the 201cm giant is now reaping the rewards of hard yards in the hub, with Cameron currently preferring Flynn and fellow NSW product Kieren Briggs ahead of veteran Shane Mumford.

Last year's experience is also providing good perspective amid the current uncertain stretch.

Flynn, Toby Greene and Harry Himmelberg were halfway through a round of golf in Sydney when told they needed to be at the airport in a tick over two hours.

"It was a whirlwind but we've settled in really well," Flynn said.

"We've got an open mind and understand we might be here a bit longer (than two weeks).

"At least we can go out, see family and friends - it's a lot easier than last year."