Relishing the excitement of his first senior game, Jack Macrae says there are many things he will take out of Friday night’s NAB Cup opener against Essendon.

The pace of the game was the main point of difference for Macrae, while the physicality of playing against men may take some adjusting for the teenager.

“It was a really great experience to be out there with the crowd and all the excitement with all the boys but one of the main things that I probably learnt was just the pace of the game,” Macrae said.

“It’s a big step up from anything else, so that was probably the main thing I took away.

“I think just putting your head over the footy and getting first to the ball that helped a bit.

“You know, it will come - the physicality - but in the meantime just got to do good techniques and get first to the footy and hopefully I will look after myself.”

In promising signs, the young pup had five touches of the ball at 100% disposal efficiency and also notched up three clearances in the brief hitout.

While Macrae is yet to break down his first NAB Cup outing with the coaching panel, he said they were happy with his efforts.

“I haven’t really spoken with any coaches but they said it was great to put my head over the footy in my first game and keep attacking the footy hard,” he said.

“That is what [senior coach Brendan McCartney] really wants, so it was good.”