Watch Jaxson Barham speak to CTV after his debut in the Brisbane match on Friday night

Jaxson Barham may have always been destined to one day play for Collingwood but he was still surprised when he heard last week that he was going to make his debut against the Brisbane Lions.

Barham was told by coach Mick Malthouse last Tuesday that he would line up for the Pies.

He responded with 28 disposals, nine tackles and the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for round four.

“I was just chilling in the spa with a few of the boys and Mick came up and shook my hand,” he said.

“I was pretty happy at the time but I knew I had a tough task ahead and tried to focus on playing my role with the club.”

That role in his debut game was to run with Luke Power, one of the star midfielders of the AFL. It was a task that would be daunting for any player, let alone a first-gamer.

“I think most of my nerves were because I was playing on him. He’s such a champion and I was pretty nervous to line up against him,” Barham said.

“He showed me a lot about being a good midfielder. He took me to a lot of the right spots at the stoppages and that probably got me a few extra possies. I also saw just how hard you have to run.

“I watched a few of his edits from previous games and I was pretty nervous watching them. He was pretty tough but he was really fair as well. It was a great experience.”

While the youngster has worn the tag of ‘Ricky Barham’s kid’ his entire life, he says he has never felt his dad’s reputation was a burden.

“A lot of people ask if there is a lot of pressure on me. It’s not at all because he’s always let me do my own thing whether it be football or anything in life,” he said.

“He’s never pressured me and just gave advice when I’ve needed it. He’s always wanted me to build my own career and never put any pressure on me.”

Naturally, Barham has followed Collingwood his entire life and watched with keen interest as the Magpies and Lions built a strong rivalry in the early part of the decade. He says the rivalry is still well and truly alive after seeing it from a first-hand perspective.

“It was such a high-pressure game. Going out there you definitely notice the intensity, it’s just so high and everyone goes in so hard. There was a lot of passion.”