Mitch Honeychurch was quick to find his feet at senior level, both figuratively and literally, with the forward’s first kick for the Western Bulldogs resulting in a goal against Melbourne on Sunday.

In a solid debut performance, the 2013 draftee also finished with eight touches, two clearances and four tackles but Honeychurch was just happy that he could play his role in the Bulldogs win.

“You can’t ask for a better start and to get the win by six points – it was pretty nerve wracking at the end there, but we got the win which was great,” Honeychurch said.

“Bob (Robert Murphy) looked after me… it was good to reward their work and finish with a goal with the first kick.”

Honeychurch had a number of teammates to guide him on game day but it was perhaps those who have been in his position recently that could relate best.

The small forward said he took advice and support from his fellow emerging Bulldogs, namely Luke Dahlhaus, Nathan Hrovat and Lachie Hunter.

“[The message was] just compress the ground as much as you can and try to make it hard for the Dees to get inside 50 and it worked well in the end,” he said.

“Just play your role. Don’t go doing anything extravagant, just keep doing what you are doing..

“Dahl and Hrovat and Hunter they were great out there for me, they just kept talking to me and it was good.”

Just one game into his career Honeychurch was priviledged to sing the Bulldogs theme song in the huddle and he said it was a moment he will never forget.

“They threw me in the circle and put Gatorade all over me, which was an experience I’ll never forget…and a lifelong memory,” he said.