Essendon Line Coach Guy McKenna has praised Darcy Parish's ability to 'hunt the opposition' during his impressive first up showing in the red and black.

Parish starred on debut, picking up 25 possessions, laying six tackles and having four score involvements. 

“He was just super,” McKenna said.

“His ability to hunt down the opposition when they had the football and also break into space for us. 

“His effort and pressure around the ball was super for a first gamer.

“His challenge is to replicate that week in and week out which we know is difficult for first year players.

“He’s a mentally hard player so I know he’ll be doing everything he can to replicate that.” 

The Bombers secured Parish with their first pick in last November’s National Draft. 

He picked up 18 possessions in his only NAB Challenge game against Carlton, but was then put in cotton wool ahead of the season opener. 

“There were obviously a few nerves,” Parish said.

“I was just itching to get out on the ground and once I did I wanted to have a red-hot crack. 

“I just worked my way into the game in that second half and started to get a bit more inside ‘pill’.

“It was good to get my hands on the ball.” 

Parish played 83 per cent of the game.  The majority was spent in the midfield where he spent a small amount of time matched up to Gary Ablett.

“Obviously Gary is a great player and to match up alongside him was bit daunting having watched him terrorize the competition,” Parish said.

To secure your ticket to Parish’s first match at the MCG click here.