The strangeness surrounding Hayden Young’s AFL debut seemed fitting for a year like 2020, according to the young defender.

While it was a day to celebrate for Young, he and his teammates were left disappointed after falling 11-points short despite a strong comeback against Brisbane at the Gabba.

 The defender came in as a late inclusion for fellow back Nathan Wilson and took playing his first game without his family present in his stride.

 “I think this whole year has been pretty unique,” Young said.

“(Today) kind of summed it up pretty well that I would debut without a crowd and no family, that’s just how the year’s been going.

“(With no crowds) it was easier to hear the teammates out on the field, they helped me out a lot and communicating to help me set up.”

On the morning of the game, Young rang his parents and younger brother immediately on FaceTime after finding out he was a late inclusion. 

He said his parents had already celebrated hard enough when he was initially named as an emergency.

“I actually called them the night before to tell them I was an emergency and they were even more upbeat then,” Young said.

“I reckon they knew I was a chance. They were pretty excited and they’ve been a great support over the years.

“It’s good that I get an opportunity and they’re going to enjoy it too.” 

Young said Fremantle would aim to build from what has been two promising, but ultimately unrewarding, rounds in the season so far.

“It was a bit unfortunate, we ran with them for the majority of the day, “ Young said. 

“It’s promising. We can take some good things out of the game.

“We’ll go back to the drawing board and review the game and go again next week.”