Local footy fans had the chance to watch one of their homegrown talents show his wares on the big stage over the weekend as Hawthorn youngster Jai Serong made his debut on Saturday.
The 19-year-old, who played much of his junior football with Warragul and Ellinbank, got to play his first AFL game in the Hawks' seven-point win against the Gold Coast Suns in Tasmania.
Taken at pick 53 in the 2021 AFL draft, it's been a patient build for Jai, who has plied his trade in the VFL for Box Hill for much of the year in a variety of roles before being given his opportunity in the big time.

He said that getting told he would be debuting hit him "like a tonne o