Despite a pre-season injury setback, Magpie youngster Jaxson Barham made an impressive debut in the club’s VFL line up against Geelong on Sunday afternoon.

Although his first appearance for the side was a nine-goal defeat, Barham, selected under the father-fon rule with the Pies sacrificing the 63rd selection in return for his services at the 2007 National Draft, was one of the highlights to arise from the afternoon. His pace, his trademark for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup, on show, breaking the lines in turning defence into attack.

VFL coach Gavin Brown reserved praise for Barham, who was sidelined for over two months with a shoulder complaint.

“Barham was good, for his first game after about eight or nine weeks out. I thought he was fantastic actually. Obviously he can improve, but he was a real positive out of the game on the wing.”

Donning the number 43 made famous by his father, Ricky, who played 151 matches for the club in the 1980s, Barham admitted that, while his team dropped off in the final term, the focus must be on returning to the winners list against Coburg next week.

“We played well for three quarters and then we dropped off in the last so it was a bit disappointing, but we’ve just got to keep our heads up for next week, I suppose” Barham said.  “It’s hard to say where we fell away, but the Geelong boys had a lot of senior players in and they were just the fitter side, but it’s hard to tell”.

Like many draftees, Barham found the gulf between the TAC Cup competition, where he spent last season as a top age player under the league’s new rules which allow for 19-year-olds to be retained for another season, and the state league a challenge to clear.

“It’s definitely a lift in intensity – I think my lungs expanded a little bit more than usual.

"I was pretty buggered, but you just keep pushing through. My fitness is starting to step up now, for sure, just having played a few more games and hopefully (with that) my fitness can continue to improve.”

Barham admitted that there were nerves going into the match after spending plenty of time on the sidelines; however his shoulder pulled through with flying colours.

“It feels a lot better than I thought, coming into the game, because I was a bit hesitant about it, but I didn’t really notice it at all”.

Like all newcomers to the competition, Barham harbours aspirations of higher honours this season, however he is certainly not getting ahead of himself.

“Oh yeah, I’d definitely like to play this season. I suppose it’s just a matter of working hard in the VFL and trying to get a few wins with the boys, before I can get into the team”.

Although he plays in a similar vein to his father, who was known for his turn of speed and ability to hare down the wings, Barham concedes that his dad, who spent time as a recruiting manager with the Sydney Swans, is not the typical footballing father, leaving his son to create his own path on the road to the top.

“He just cruises along, and tries to give me a tip every now and then."