Crows fans got an exciting glimpse of the future on Saturday night, as the most-inexperienced defence in the Club’s history combined to restrict Fremantle to a mere 11 goals.

The least-experienced player in Adelaide’s back six was promoted rookie Kyle Hartigan on debut.

The 21-year-old, who has enjoyed a consistent season with SANFL club South Adelaide, received an AFL call-up when All Australian full-back Ben Rutten was ruled out with a bruised shoulder.

Hartigan joined 2012 Rising Star Daniel Talia, small defenders Luke Brown and Rory Laird, and running half-backs Brodie Smith and Ricky Henderson, the most-experienced of the six (54 games), in the backline at Patersons Stadium.

“Before the game we (the defenders) counted up the number of games we’d all played (179) and it was less than what Truck has played (210) in his career,” Hartigan said after the game.

“It was a pretty inexperienced backline, but I thought we held up pretty well and didn’t get beaten one-on-one. It was a good test for us, but Freo just got over the top of us in the end.”

A mature-age recruit from Werribee, Hartigan showed good composure in his first game, withstanding the immense pressure from Fremantle – the best defensive team in the competition.

He finished the game with 19 possessions (84 per cent efficiency) and seven marks. It was a dream come true for the former AIS-Academy member, who was overlooked in three national drafts before being rookie-listed by Adelaide last December.

“I’ve waited a fairly long time to get this opportunity and there were probably times I thought it would never come,” he said.

“I was overwhelmed when Sando told me I was in the team on Wednesday night and pretty excited. It was a long time to wait; from Wednesday to Saturday night. I just wanted to get out there and play and I was pretty nervous. It was intense tonight. The game was really fast. I ended up cramping a fair bit in the last quarter because I was physically spent.

“It’s all I dreamed of as a kid and, hopefully, there are many more games to come. There was a lot of hard work to get there. I’m sure it’s something I’ll look back on later in life and be proud of.”

Hartigan’s parents Sue and Jeff and long-time girlfriend Emily, who still lives in Melbourne, made the nearly five-hour journey to Perth to watch him play his long-awaited first AFL game.

Jeff Hartigan presented his son, who became the 195^th representative of the Adelaide Football Club, with his No.41 guernsey pre-game and teammate Richard Douglas said a few words on behalf of the playing group.

“It was a really special moment for me. My mum, dad and girlfriend have been there for me the whole way through … through my teenage years when I didn’t get drafted,” Hartigan said.

“I’ve had so much support from my girlfriend’s family, my family and my family and friends. I even had some friends fly over for the game tonight, which I was pretty stoked about. It’s a pretty long way to come from Melbourne and they paid their own way over.

“To have people like that in my life is pretty special.”

It might’ve been Hartigan’s first game as a Crow, but he’d already played alongside one of his teammates. Hartigan and Daniel Talia were teammates at Victoria Metro in their teenage years. Promising utility Sam Shaw was also part of that squad.

Despite being the same age, Talia has acted as a mentor to first-year player Hartigan.

“I grew up playing against ‘Talz’ and I’ve known him a long time. It was good to come into the Club and be mates with someone already here, especially someone who plays in the same position as me,” Hartigan said.

“He’s a great player. I’ve been able to learn from him and Truck and they’ve been outstanding for me. Truck is one of the best going around. He’s been here a long time and has so much knowledge.

“I couldn’t have asked for two better mentors.”

Hartigan is only the second of the last 11 Crows debutants not to experience a win in his first game –Sam Kerridge, who debuted against Hawthorn in Round Three last season is the other.

Adelaide won all the key statistical areas against the Dockers, including the inside 50ms (45 -33) but once again couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard, and succumbed to a 22-point defeat.

“We just didn’t take our chances when they presented themselves. They probably spread a bit harder than us and got on the outside of the contest better, and they were cleaner with the ball than we were,” Hartigan said.

“We just needed that polish and it didn’t come tonight, unfortunately.”

Adelaide will have to reshuffle its line-up for Balfours Showdown XXXV on Sunday after key forward Josh Jenkins suffered a season-ending fractured ankle. Tall Shaun McKernan is also in doubt with an ankle injury, but Rutten and All Australian Patrick Dangerfield (AC Joint sprain) are expected to return.

Hartigan found himself up forward late in the game on Saturday night, as the Crows tried to muster a winning score.

“Josh’s injury looked sickening on the replay. It’s really disappointing for Josh and for the team because we can’t really afford to lose another key forward,” he said.