There’d be no tougher first-up assignment for a debutant than a match-up with the reigning premiers, and that was the task presented to young Dog Lukas Webb on the weekend.

Webb debuted in red, white and blue against Hawthorn on Sunday, and while only managing ten disposals, impressed with his composure with the ball in hand.

The young defender, speaking with Sportsday Radio on Monday night, said the experienced Hawks surprised him most with their on-field chat.

“They were pretty incredible, I guess I didn’t really know what to expect when I was running out.

“They were just so prolific with their voice, they were yelling directions here and there, they didn’t leave anything in the balance they just said what they needed to say to each other.”

Webb, who was recruited to the Dogs in the 2014 NAB AFL National Draft, said the lead-up to the game and the match itself was a “surreal” feeling.

Although the Dogs went down by 70 points, Webb was pleased with both his own, and the team’s ability to play the game out in difficult circumstances.

“It was pretty tough, coming in for my first game.

“I just stuck it through. I think the boys put up a pretty good fight considering the circumstances.”