19-year-old Rhys Mathieson has had a textbook start to his AFL career.

The Geelong Falcons product who joined the Lions in the November through the National Draft took the first step in his AFL journey when he lined up for the Lions in their opening NAB Challenge clash with the Gold Coast Suns at Burpengary in February.

He was fearless around the contest with 13 disposals (seven of those were contested) and kicked a magnificent banana goal from the forward pocket, finishing with an even better goal celebration.

“The first NAB Cup game I just wanted to bring a bit of energy to the boys,” Mathieson told Wayne Carey and Cameron Ling on the AFL’s ‘First Bounce’.

“The folks were into me over the boundary line, they said I should’ve gone and played soccer for ducking my head.

“Once I snagged that one I just turned to them and fed them a little bit. It was just a bit of fun.

“(I was) just enjoying myself and having a bit of fun out there.”

On fellow draftee and close friend Darcy Parish who joined the Bombers in November, Mathieson said the Geelong Falcon products still catch up regularly and both are hopeful of meeting each other when the Lions clash with Essendon in Round 18.

“I don’t know if it’s a rivalry or who’s going to play the most games but hopefully we’re going to be both playing against each other when the time comes.

“We’re going to beat them by 100 points,” he quipped.

“Me and my partner Darc used to get into the better players in the competition and try to rattle them a bit.

“Give them a bit of smack talk or lay a few bumps, just try to get in their heads.

“It really boosted our stocks, I thought,” he laughed.

“We still catch up like in the good old days.”

Darcy Parish and Rhys Mathieson (Photo: Michael Wilson/AFL Media)

Mathieson said his experiences with Justin Leppitsch and the Lions had been nothing but positive.

“He’s a great coach. I think the public and the fans have got to bear with him.

“We’ve got a really young group and he’s really trying to take us places.

“I think we’re going to be on the mend this year and over the next couple of years,” he said.

“Leppa’s taken this group to a really good place, I think.”

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