JUST 41 days after being recruited onto an AFL list, Kyle Dunkley has made his senior debut on the MCG.

Melbourne’s newest player – selected with pick No.3 in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft – was a part of a thrilling five-point win over Carlton on Sunday and was treated to his first Gatorade shower after the game.

“It was unbelievable. I copped a couple of bottles in the face as well, but it was a great win and I’m just rapt to be a part of it,” Dunkley told Melbourne Media.”

Dunkley received his red and blue guernsey from his father Andrew pre-game, as the youngster had plenty of family in attendance.

“It’s amazing to be able to get everyone together to come down and support me for my first game, and we were lucky enough to get the win, so it was good,” Dunkley said.

The 19-year-old had 11 disposals in his first appearance for the Dees and held his nerve in the dying stages of the match.

“The crowd was unbelievable so trying to talk to the other boys out there was pretty hard – it was very loud,” Dunkley said.

“But we knew what we had to do, and we stuck together and dug deep, and in the end, we came out with it and got across the line.”

An AFL debut is a daunting experience for any young footballer, let alone one who was playing in the NAB League competition just two months ago, but Dunkley seemed to settle in quickly on the big stage.

“After I ran through the banner, I knew it was down to business – I just had to do my job,” he said.

“Before that I just tried to soak it in and get out of my head before the game started.

“But it was just good to be able to get out there for the first time.”

Melbourne’s focus will quickly shift to next week where it takes on the Western Bulldogs in what will be a family reunion for the Dunkley’s.

Kyle’s brother Josh has become a star midfielder for the Dogs, and the duo will cross paths on the field next Sunday afternoon.

“We’ll celebrate this one first and then probably tomorrow we’ll start looking at the Doggies and seeing how we can beat them,” Dunkley said.

“It’s exciting, so we’ll see how we go.”