IMAGINE THIS: You are elevated from the rookie list to replace a club champion. Simultaneously, you are selected to debut in the club’s up-coming match against its fiercest rival.
A few days later, at the MCG, with thousands of fans at the ground and hundreds of thousands more watching on TV, an opportunity to kick a goal arrives.
You gather the ball and send it hurtling towards the big sticks. Judging by its trajectory, and the excited reaction of teammate Heath Scotland, you assume it is not only your first six-pointer in AFL, but also a possible game breaker.
“It looked like it was never missing,” explained Carlton rookie Michael Jamison, who was elevated after Anthony Koutoufides.
Unfortunately for Jamison, who had his back turned while executing several celebratory fist-pumps, the goal umpire thought otherwise.
"I looked at Bryce Gibbs and he was pointing towards the goal umpire. That is when I knew something was wrong," he said.
"Straight away I thought, ‘Geez, what have I just done?’ and started to think about how much I was going to cop for my false celebration. I guess I should have waited a bit longer,” laughed Jamison.
Fortunately, the premature celebrations will not be Jamison's only memory from his first game in the navy blue.
“The crowd and the noise made when a goal is kicked – I have never heard anything like it,” Jamison reminisced.
The 21-year-old had a sound debut, collecting nine possessions and three marks against the Magpies in what turned out to be a relatively calm afternoon at the office.
“Running out on to the ground was probably the most nervous I was throughout the whole day,” he said
“Once the game started, I just tried to think as if it was a normal game. I had to play on my opponent and do what I usually do.”
Which is exactly what the former North Ballarat player has been instructed to do since being drafted on to Carlton’s rookie list at the start of the year.
“They [Carlton's coaches] said the main thing was not to try and think of getting a game or worry if you are not getting a game,” he said.
“It has been challenging,” he said about his time on Carlton’s rookie list.
“Because, you do all the same work as everyone else, but do not get the immediate opportunities. You have to wait on injuries and hope more than the listed players.”
Jamison also pays tribute to assistant coach Gavin Crosisca for his encouragement, who coached him last year at North Ballarat, as well as experienced teammates David Teague and Jason Saddington. He says, all three have helped him come to grips with the weekly tradition of ‘non selection’.
Fortunately, now that he has been elevated, has a little more control over his selection.
“I have got that taste now, so, I really want to keep going now and aim to play a few more games.”
QUICK QUESTIONS
You live with teammates Shaun Grigg and Sam Jacobs. Do you have any house rules? Shaun and Sam have to stay out of the kitchen because they are pretty useless in there.
If your house were a restaurant, what would be on the menu? Stir fry, burritos and tacos. We try and stick to the basics.
If you were a judge on Australia’s Next Top Model, what assets would you be looking for in the winner? Nice smile, confidence and sense of humour.
Will Brittany Spears ever make a successful comeback? No. She was good when she was younger, but there are a few others coming through now.
Like who? That Rihanna, she is pretty nice.
