Lawson Humphries had a night to remember on Saturday, making his AFL debut in a win over Essendon with 35 of his friends and family in the crowd watching on.  

The young defender looked calm and composed on debut, collecting 15 disposals and five intercept possessions, along with five score involvements to have an impact in the Cats offense.  

Six months ago, he was a relatively unknown prospect taken with pick 63 in the National Draft, but an incredible run of form in the VFL put Humphries firmly in line for his AFL debut.  

Humphries and his dad Ross spoke with Channel 7 following the game, touching on how special the moment was pulling on the hoops in front of his closest family and friends.   

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Lawson Humphries Interview | Seven Post Game

Debutant Lawson Humphries and his father Ross joined Channel Seven's post game show to chat through Lawson's journey and first game in the Hoops.

“It is every kids dream to play at the MCG, playing in front of a good crowd so it was pretty amazing to be honest and I am still sort of coming to terms with it,” Humphries said.  

“Scott had a big coaches meeting I came in and saw my name up on the board.  

“I probably didn't think it would ever happen, so it is surreal to be here now and to play in a win is even better.  

“I had the family come in for the jumper presentation, and nearly got a little bit teary eyed in there.  

“To have all my friends and family come, to have a win, playing my role was pretty epic and pretty special.”  

The dashing defender spent last year playing with the Swan Districts in Western Australia, winning a reserves best and fairest and premiership before the Cats selected him in the 2023 National Draft.  

Humphries provided insight into what inspired him to continue working hard in the WAFL, taking his game to new heights which landed him on Geelong’s radar.  

“I probably wasn't working hard enough, I think I wasn't fit enough and wasn't ready to go to the next level,” Humphries told Channel 7.   

“I won a flag with Swan Districts when I was 18, so I had a really strong passion there and we had a really good group of boys that I was playing with.  

 “I wanted to hang around and I am super competitive, I want to be the best player I can so I wanted to keep improving. 

“I was hoping that eventually I might get lucky and here I am.  

“Dad has taught me for as long as I can remember how important it is to be able to kick on both sides.   

“Being able to wheel out and go on either side is a bit of a cheat code at times, so I am very lucky.”