MAKING his AFL debut at Subiaco in round seven came as something of a surprise for Garry Moss, but it's one he accepted with delight.

Moss played senior WAFL football in 2006 with East Perth, captained Western Australia at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships where he was selected All-Australian, and also graduated from the AIS-AFL Academy, but despite that impressive record, selection this early in the season came as a bit of a shock.

"To tell you the truth… it's been a great surprise," Moss said after Hawthorn's 16-point loss to the Dockers in Perth on Sunday. "But I'm very happy with it. I just played my role.

"I would have liked to have a bit more of an impact on the result, but for a first game, I'll take that."

The 18-year-old said getting to play his first AFL game at Subiaco Oval was a great thrill.

"It was a great thing to come back to Perth and make my debut in front of all my friends and family. Pity about the result, but it was a great opportunity today.

"I didn't get hassled for tickets too badly. I've got lots of close friends and family and that's who I gave my tickets to.

"The tempo of the game was definitely a lot quicker [than lower levels of football] around stoppages, but once you get out into some space you can get some real run.

"You definitely feel the body contact a bit more in these games."

And he's settling down well at Hawthorn after being taken with a fourth-round pick (No.56) in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft.

"I've loved every minute of it – I love Melbourne,” Moss said. “The footy club's been great setting me up with a host family and I've got one of my good mates from Perth who I got drafted with, Jarryd Morton, living next door, so it's been great."