Caleb Daniel may think of himself as no-fuss individual, but there's been plenty of fuss made about his debut Saturday night against the Blues.
Subbed into the game at half time, Daniel gathered a nine-disposals in the third quarter and hit the scoreboard with a goal, helping spark the Dogs in a match-winning three goals to zero term.
With the Dogs’ victory coming just days before his 19th birthday on Tuesday, the debut and four points provided the perfect early gift for the South Australian.
“I’m pretty happy with this present, I’ll take that along with me,” Daniel told 3AW post match.
While much had been made in his draft year about the attributes that Daniel doesn’t have as a player, the former Larke Medallist said his focus throughout his football journey had been on utilizing what he does.
“I’ve worked my bum off and tried to achieve [an AFL debut] since I’ve been a youngster, something I’ve dreamt of my whole life, and it has just come to fruition and I’m enjoying every moment of it.”
“Being a short player, you’ve got to be at exceptional at a couple of things. I suppose I just try to use my work ethic and my endurance to burn off my opponent.”
With the Dogs trailing by three-points when he was subbed into the game, Daniel appeared to take the pressure of the situation in his stride.
“I’m pretty easy going guy, I don’t get too amped up, I like to keep calm,” Daniel said.
“But I suppose in your first game you’re always amped up, and you’ve just got to hold it in for a little bit longer.
“Once you get your first touch and out there running around, it just feels like another game of footy except quicker.”
