It's been a long wait, but Tommy Walsh will finally make his AFL debut for the Sydney Swans on Saturday.

The Tralee man decided to pursue a career in Aussie Rules after helping Kerry to All-Ireland glory in 2009, but has had to wait until now to make his AFL bow, having failed to see any action during his time with St. Kilda who he initially signed for.

After being named in the Swans' extended squad twice in recent weeks, Walsh will follow in the footsteps of fellow Kerryman Tadhg Kennelly by lining out for the Harbour City club against Melbourne 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 told the club's website.

"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. 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.

"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."

He continued: "Ever since I arrived at the SCG I've wanted to play a senior game there and play my first game there. 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." Tweet

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