IT wasn’t the smooth-sailing start to AFL that one would’ve hoped for, but first-year Demon Bailey Laurie finally got his chance to run out for Casey on Saturday, after nearly nine weeks on the sidelines.

Laurie was drafted to the Dees with Pick 22 at the end of last year and was on track for a strong start to 2021, having displayed his dynamic skills and speed during Melbourne’s pre-season.

But it was an unlucky collision with teammate Michael Hibberd during training, just one week prior to VFL’s Round 1, that left Laurie with a fractured cheekbone and a long stint on the injury list.

“It was a little bit of a mishap, which was a bit unfortunate,” Laurie said of the collision with Hibberd.

“But I’m fully confident in my body, both physically and mentally, [I’m] back to 100 percent, which is really good.”

The 19-year-old reflected on the support of his teammates in adapting him to the AFL environment.

“You obviously grow relationships with your teammates during your time at the club, pretty much everyone has been really good to me.

“They’ve been very welcoming, and I’ve grown relationships with all of them, so I’m very grateful for that.”

One teammate in particular, a long-term friend of Laurie’s, made the adjustment that little bit easier.

“Deakyn [Smith] and I met back in 2018, we both moved to Caufield Grammar in year 10.   

“When he got picked up in the pre-season draft, I was over the moon…I’m very grateful to be able to do what I love beside him.”

The speed forward debuted for the Casey Demons on Saturday and celebrated his first win in the red and blue, with the side defeating Essendon by 48 points.

“I felt really fit out there and it was great to be out playing with the boys,” Laurie said.

“Footy is something that I love, so there’s nothing I’d rather be doing.

 “I’ve got the best job in the world if you ask me.”

Watch our full chat with Laurie below.