Twenty-four hours prior to making his AFL debut, Geelong youngster James Parsons came to the aid of a youngster on a Surf Coast beach.

What started as regulation trip to Jan Juc to clear his head prior to debuting against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, quickly turned stressful for the 19-year-old.

“A mum was panicking because her daughter was caught in a rip on a boogie board, so I just went out and dragged her and her friend in,” Parsons said.

“She was scared but not in a lot of trouble. I wouldn’t say I saved her, just helped.”

While the young Cat played down his part in the beach rescue, his calm response ensured the girl found the safety of shore.

This calmnes was replicated a day later when he grabbed 18 disposals in the Cats’ gritty win over the Dees.

Despite missing the entire JLT Community Series following surgery to fix a broken foot sustained after landing awkwardly while on leave over the Australia Day weekend, the rookie-list utility got the call up after two VFL hit-outs.

Originally from Norwood in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, the 189cm Cat joined the club via pick 27 at the 2015 rookie draft. He was only elevated to the senior list last Thursday.

Adding to what was one of the biggest weeks in the youngster’s life was the fact he scooped the sizeable pool to win the Cats' in-house NCAA basketball March Madness competition.

Parsons beat out a field of 59 to win the event that is fast becoming the most prestigious non-football award at the club.