The Sydney Swans number 17 guernsey will again be worn with Irish pride when Tommy Walsh makes his AFL debut this weekend at the SCG.

Walsh, who was nabbed by the Swans late in last year’s Trade Week from St Kilda, will play his first senior game for the Swans against Melbourne on Saturday evening.

The 24-year-old key-position player hails from Irish country Kerry, the same club as Swans premiership player Tadhg Kennelly.

Walsh told sydneyswans.com.au that he is thrilled to be making his senior debut with the Swans this weekend.

“It’s something that I’ve wanted to do since I got here (in Australia), so it’s been two-and-a-half years and there have been bad times and good times in that, but it’s just great to finally get off the mark and get my first game,” he said.

“There were times where I felt like it was never going to happen, but I knew I just had to stick with it and keep believing that it was going to come.

“Horse (Swans coach John Longmire) and everyone else at the Swans have been very supportive and they’ve been telling me exactly what I’ve needed to do to get a game and put down a plan for me, and I was able to stick to that.

“It’s all come together now and I’m just really, really excited for the weekend and I can’t wait to get out there.”

Not only is Walsh excited about making his debut for the Swans, he is also looking forward to playing on the SCG in front of the club’s fans.

“Ever since I arrived at the SCG I’ve wanted to play a senior game there and play my first game there,” Walsh said.

“It’s always a good atmosphere (at the SCG) and I could see how much the boys enjoyed playing there, so I just can’t wait to get out there and run out there with the rest of the boys.

“I’ve been here for seven or eight months now, and just seeing how great the boys go about everything, so just to be able to go out and play a game with them and do all the things they talk about week-to-week is just a great opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Walsh will have some family support at this weekend’s game, with his brother Barry John able to make it to Saturday’s clash.

After initially thinking his father Seán would struggle to make the trip over from Ireland in time, Walsh today confirmed that his dad would also be in the stands.

“My dad just organised it this morning, so my dad is going to fly over," Walsh said.

“I don’t think he was too excited about the trip, but I think he is excited because he’s gone through everything I’ve gone through in the last three years.

“He’s really looking forward to getting over here and seeing me play.”

Swans coach John Longmire said Walsh’s hard work over the past three seasons has finally paid off.

“It’s great for (Tommy) to be able to play his first game of AFL football,” he said.

“He’s been working at it for two-and-a-half years and improving all the time, so it’s good that he gets his chance to be able to play a senior game of AFL footy.

“We just hope that he comes in and plays a role for us like any other player that we select, and we think he can do that for us.”

Longmire said he expects the player will spend most of this weekend’s game in the forward line, but said Walsh has the ability to swing down back.

“He can come into the team and play forward or back, but he will primarily play forward and give us a bit of structure in our forward line and hopefully just make a really strong contest,” he said.

“We’ve been playing him in different roles and teaching him different parts of the game, and he’s been taking it on board really well and he gives a strong contest and that’s what we’re after on the weekend.”