Jack Leslie became the sixth Gold Coast SUNS debutant in 2014 on Saturday and despite his team losing to Essendon by 19 points, the tall utility has described the experience as a “dream come true”.

“I couldn’t really wait (to make my AFL debut) I suppose,” he said.

“It’s just a dream come true and it’s finally happened.”

Given his transition from junior football, the club’s high performance staff opted to put the developing tall on a modified training program until he joined the main group in April. Since then, Leslie has played 12 games in the NEAFL, although he recently had to overcome a back complaint.

He admitted to feeling the pinch late in the clash with the Bombers.

“I cramped a little bit in the last quarter; it’s just so much quicker than any footy I’ve ever played before,” Leslie told SUNS TV.

“I just loved it so it didn’t really worry me.”

The Gippsland Power product was drafted by the SUNS at the end of the first round of the 2013 National Draft and played his maiden AFL game in front of a large support group.

“I had a fair few friends and family come down. They’re all from Victoria so had a pretty big group here supporting me.”

Leslie played on a variety of high-quality Essendon opponents throughout the day, going toe-to-toe with the likes of Joe Daniher, Jake Carlisle and Patrick Ryder.

While the SUNS didn’t leave Etihad Stadium with the four points, the 19-year-old praised the four-quarter effort by his teammates.

“Yeah that was awesome by the boys. Right until that last minute we just kept fighting and didn’t give in so that’s just all you can really expect.”

The rookie is already looking forward to next week, and hopes to end the season on a high against the West Coast Eagles at Metricon Stadium, should he be selected.

“Hopefully we can get home and beat the West Coast Eagles.”