IT WAS a long time coming, but Liam Anthony’s debut for North Melbourne was one to savour.

The 20-year-old gave the Roos some real drive from the wing in the narrow loss to the Western Bulldogs on Sunday at the MCG with 28 possessions after missing the first half of the season with a foot injury.

But the affable West Australian said it wasn’t as easy as he made it look.

“The tempo was a step up for sure,” he said.

“I only had three games back in the VFL with North Ballarat and only 60 to 70 per cent of game time so today was a big step up.

“But I did like the pace and the openness of AFL footy.

“I like to run hard forward and get on the end of it and deliver the footy, but I think my skills weren’t as good today as they have been.

“I suppose that will improve when I get more used to the tempo.”

Anthony matched-up on hardened AFL players Daniel Cross, Lindsay Gilbee and Shaun Higgins, but came from the ground after the final siren as North’s top possession winner.

“There was a few good players out there I played against and they can use the footy pretty well,” he said.

“So the focus was to make sure you defend really well and press up on them which restricts their ability to hit a target.”

Anthony played under Shane Woewodin at East Fremantle in the WAFL before being drafted and said the Brownlow Medallist had been an enormous influence.

“I was a bit younger, coming from the country and didn’t realise the work required to make it to the AFL and he was fantastic and teaching me that and getting me there,” Anthony said.

“He has passed that information on to me so I’m very lucky.”
North's caretaker coach Darren Crocker gave him a big wrap after the game.

“I thought it was a fantastic first-up game,” he said.

“Since he has walked in the place he has never had any trouble finding the footy and he’s had 28 touches today.

“He realises he has a few areas of his game to work on but I couldn’t be more pleased for him.

“He has worked extremely hard to get himself to this stage so it is fantastic.”

Anthony returned the compliment and said Crocker had been terrific for the players since taking over following Dean Laidley’s resignation.

“Crock has brought a new vibe to the club and is giving the young kids a go and has given us a licence to take the game on and have a go,” Anthony said.

“We are looking to win a few games but more than that we want to develop our young players.”

Anthony has already completed his sports management degree and is looking to start work, football commitments permitting, at the end of the season.