Blues youngster Blaine Boekhorst says it was a “massive” relief to play his first AFL game with Carlton.

The 21-year-old debuted against St Kilda on ANZAC Day in Wellington and told Crocmedia he never dreamed he’d play his first game in New Zealand.

“There probably hasn’t been too may people that have debuted overseas, so it’s a privilege and could be a good trivia question,” he said.

When coach Mick Malthouse told Boekhorst he was in the team, the debutant was determined to grab the opportunity with both hands.

“It’s a massive build-up all pre-season to try and break into the side and once you get that opportunity you’ve got to make the most of it, so I’m pretty relieved to get that one out the way,” he said.

Haling from Port Headland in Western Australia, the mature-aged recruit was Carlton’s first-round pick in the 2014 National Draft.

A state volleyballer for WA, Boekhorst’s athleticism saw him also excel in the WAFL playing for Swan Districts. It was there that he gained the confidence to try and make it in the big league.

“The first pre-season game (2014) we played East Perth and they have a lot of AFL-listed players with the Eagles,” Boekhorst said. 

“I played well and it was a confidence-building step.”

As a Western Australian, Boekhorst said it was “overwhelming” to be drafted to the same team as one of his football idols: Chris Judd.

“As a kid you grow up watching him (Judd) and Ben Cousins dominate that era and to come over and play alongside him is an honour,” he said.

“Throughout training drills he comes up to you and gives you little tips and hints of what to do and when to do it, so he’s a really good mentor on the track.”