Greater Western Sydney ruckman Tom Downie will face the ultimate test in his AFL debut on Sunday – Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands.
Downie has been forced to work harder than any of the 40 debutants that came before him at GWS, having been a raw basketball talent when he was taken with pick No.56 in the 2011 draft.
Having earned his first taste of AFL with some stellar form in the seconds, Downie will now have to combat the tallest man in the league.
“Obviously any game would’ve been tough first up, but this is something different,” Downie told the AFL website.
“I think most ruckmen in the AFL find it a challenge coming up against Sandilands.
“…I was hoping to get a game this year and it turns out I’ve been lucky enough to do that.”
Downie represented Australia in the under-17 world basketball championships in 2010, and fellow hoops convert Dean Brogan has been impressed with his progress since joining the Giants.
“Tom Downie has been one of our most improved players on the list,” GWS assistant coach Brogan told AAP of the 20-year-old.
“A year ago, jeez he was really battling. It was no fault of his own, he was just new to the game and he was a long way back.
“But he’s closed that gap pretty well.
“He’s a good kid, he wants to learn. He’s got so many attributes – he can run, jump and reads the game really well.
“He’s been one of our best players in the NEAFL every week. He’s been dominating.
“Like anything, he’s just going to take a bit of time. But he’s got the right attitude.”