WHILE it may have been a day to forget for Carlton, it was a memorable occasion for Abbie and the McKay family.

McKay made history when she pulled on the Carlton jumper for the first time in the AFLW arena against Geelong, becoming the first father-daughter player in the game’s history.

In the No.5 worn with esteem by her dad, McKay said she couldn’t describe the feeling of running out in navy blue.

“It was an awesome experience,” McKay said post-match.

“It wasn’t the result we were after, but it felt really awesome to be out there.”

Starting out on the interchange bench, McKay would go onto collect seven disposals in her first game and showed promise, particularly early in the game.

McKay could barely contain her excitement, having to be held back from entering the fray too early.

Understandably, there were a fair amount of nerves for the 18-year-old as she waited for her opportunity to get amongst the action.

“There were definitely a bit of nerves to begin with. I started on the bench and you can’t be out there which gets a bit nerve-wracking,” she said.

“Once I was out there, the nerves left instantly.”

McKay’s debut marked an incredible double for the Blues, who also had the game’s first father-son recruit — Harvey Dunn Junior — back in 1951.

Abbie McKay in game No.1 for Carlton. (Photo: AFL Media)

McKay had the perfect sounding board pre-match with dad Andrew — with 244 games and over 20 years in the game under his belt — on the sidelines.

However, the second-generation Blue said Dad’s advice was as cool and calm as ever.

“His main message was to have fun. He said ‘go in, get the ball and try your hardest’ — nothing too exciting!”

Speaking to Channel 7 at half-time, Andrew said that while he had experienced the game as both a player and administrator, this was a different situation entirely.

“It’s a different type of feeling, that’s for sure — having a daughter playing,” Andrew said.

“I’m used to being involved in the game and you think you can make a bit of a difference, but you certainly can’t when you’re sitting in the stands.”

The five-point defeat would’ve evoked memories for Andrew, who endured a six-point loss in his debut for Carlton in 1993.

While Andrew and the rest of the clan were immersed on the action, there was one family member who McKay jokingly said couldn’t attend the history-making debut.

“Everyone [was here] but my younger sister,” she said.

“She has a sleepover part and she told me that all of her friends were going, and she just had to be there. What can you do!”

While it was a low-scoring affair at GMHBA Stadium, the contest was a fierce one from the outset.

McKay said there was a lot for the Blues to learn and build on, coming away empty-handed from a game which they dominated in the second half.

“[Harf’s] main message was that we could’ve done so much more,” she said.

“We could’ve capitalised on opportunities but things didn’t go our way. We just weren’t good enough.

“We’ve got to capitalise on those opportunities in the forward half and stay composed with the ball. When we start losing we need to stay calm.”

McKay will hope to enjoy her first taste of victory when the Blues return to Ikon Park to host rivals Collingwood next Saturday night (7:15pm). The day will also double-up as Carlton’s 2019 Family Day, presented by Hyundai.