NHILL'S Graeme and Judy Warner will be glued to the television on Sunday afternoon.
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The pair's grandson Chad Warner, 19, will make his AFL debut with the Sydney Swans against Richmond at 3.35pm.
Graeme played 270 senior games for the Nhill Tigers in the 1960s and 1970s, and twice represented the Wimmera league.
His son and Chad's father Travis also played with the Tigers, winning two best and fairests in the 1990s before moving to Perth.
Graeme, 77, now often takes on the timekeepers role at the club.
He said it was exciting to see his grandson achieve a lifelong dream.
"Chad's come a long way," Graeme said.
"It hasn't come easy, but I know he's always been keen as mustard and put in a tremendous amount of work.
"We're excited to see how he goes. He's got the right attitude, that's for sure."
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The only disappointment for Graeme is being unable to see Chad debut in person, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
"Travis said early on after Chad got drafted that if we got a chance, we would definitely go (and watch him debut)," Graeme said.
"But the way everything is at the moment, unfortunately we won't be able to.
"Hopefully we'll be able to see him later in the year. It would be good to chat to him in person again for sure."
Chad said his family had been of great support across his entire career.
"My family has been great. I talk to them almost every day. Obviously they can't be here with me now, but they've been with me the whole journey," he told Sydney Swans media during the week.
"Their support, even from being a little kid until now, has been crazy, and the sacrifices they make for me has been huge."
Chad said Swans fans - and those watching on with a keen interest from Nhill - could expect maximum effort from the rugged midfielder on Sunday.
"I just love getting in and dirty, getting in as hard as I can and competing as hard as I can," he said.
"I'm just a competitor who loves the game."
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Richard Crabtree
richard.crabtree@austcommunitymedia.com.au
richard.crabtree@austcommunitymedia.com.au
