Young Adelaide forward Ned McHenry told teammates post-game of his delight to make his AFL debut, even despite the result.

The Crows tough loss to Port Adelaide put a damper on the night, but not enough to ruin McHenry’s chance to fulfill a childhood dream.

Key forward Taylor Walker detailed the moment to Triple M Melbourne on Wednesday.

“Ned is a great kid,” Walker said.

“After a 75-point loss, we were all so disappointed and I asked him what he thought of that.

“He said, ‘I’ll get emotional if I say it’. I said just say it mate.

“He said, ‘I just feel so lucky to be sitting in these rooms. I love it, this (playing AFL) is all I’ve ever wanted to do’.”

McHenry debuted alongside rookies Ben Crocker and Ben Keays, who both made their first Crows appearances.

Looking ahead to Gold Coast, Walker said it was clear what the group needed to do.

“Two things we want to stand for is defend first and win your own footy,” he said.

“Those two areas were nowhere near the standard we know we can set.

“We’re not reaching for something that’s not there, we know it’s there.

“Less talk, let’s create some actions.”

Adelaide will face the Suns at Metricon Stadium on Sunday at 1.05pm (AEST) in front of 2,000 fans.