“IT was everything and more.”

The moment new Blue Lucy McEvoy ran out on Ikon Park for Friday’s Round 1 clash with Richmond was a long time in the making.

Carlton’s No.2 selection at the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s Draft earned a Rising Star nomination for the debut performance, proving her status as one of the country’s best young talents.

The 18-year-old reflected on the 34-point victory over the Tigers when speaking on SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning.

“The crowd was amazing: I’ve never played in front of that many people before and to play against Richmond and keep that tradition going was really exciting,” McEvoy said.

“If I could live in the moment every day I would, it was amazing.”

Unlike AFLW-listed players before her, McEvoy is among a crop of new draftees never to have their football journeys interrupted.

From Auskick to Ikon Park, the talented midfielder always aspired to play football on the main stage.

“I started in Auskick when I was five which was really good,” she said.

“I used to always say to Mum and Dad I’d be the first girl to play in the men’s AFL, which is far-fetched, but you dream like that when you’re a little kid.

“It’s amazing and the direction that it’s going, I think it’s really good for a lot of the young girls as well, being able to look up to now AFLW players and be like ‘yes I want to do that as well’.”

McEvoy had a day out in her first official game in Navy Blue, collecting 12 disposals, five marks and four tackles against the Tigers.

The 18-year-old has quickly carved out a spot in the Blues’ starting line-up, splitting her time between the midfield and forward lines.

She doesn’t have to look far for inspiration, following in the footsteps of 2019 NAB AFLW Rising Star Maddy Prespakis.

“I’ve been training there mostly over summer in the midfield and playing alongside Maddy Prespakis and Katie Loynes,” she said.

“Even though she’s only been in the AFLW for one year, [Maddy] has been fantastic and you can see that she’s a star just by watching her.

“To be able to learn off them and develop a little bit of a relationship with them in the midfield would be really exciting.”