“IT WAS just an adrenaline rush.”

That’s what Carlton debutant Brooke Vernon recalls feeling as she prepared to run out for her first ever AFLW game in Navy Blue.

The fifth of the Blues’ 2019 draft crop to make their debut in the space of three games, Vernon found her way into the side to face the Western Bulldogs after a late call-up on Saturday morning.

“I was just taking a nap on the couch and then I got a call from Riley our head physio, who pretty much just asked me if I want to play a game of footy,” Vernon said.

“Not long after, ‘Harf’ called me and he said the same thing and told me to tell everyone.

“I didn’t expect it and I was so excited, but when I stepped on the field I had relaxed since then because I just needed to be able to settle into the game.”

Vernon was surrounded by family and friends when she pulled on the guernsey ahead of Saturday’s Pride game, with most able to make the trip to Whitten Oval at late notice.

“Telling them was so good because they’ve been waiting for me to make my debut for so long: to be able to just finally tell them was amazing,” she said.

“My friends especially, they are so amazing. They dropped everything and ditched work to support me in my first game, so I can’t thank them enough.”

It took the young defender until half time to feel at ease in her first senior hitout, finishing the game strongly with nine disposals and two marks.

If anything, she felt as though the late inclusion worked in her favour.

“It probably took a whole half to settle in, so in the last half I definitely knew I needed to be composed and to let my nerves go,” she said.

“I think it helped getting the late call-up rather than anticipating the game all week and being stressed about it.”