Hawthorn rookie David Mirra believes AFLX provided the ideal platform to quash all the nerves associated with pulling the brown and gold jumper on for the first time.

Having played for seven years with Hawthorn’s VFL affiliate Box Hill Hawks, Mirra has become accustomed to the colours.

But it was the stage on Friday night that was completely foreign for the 26-year old.

“It was a very different vibe with a lot more supporters than what I’m used to,” Mirra said.

“With the MC on the mike, music in the background and goalposts lighting up, it was a very fun concept to play in.

“The good thing about it was I was able to just go out and have some fun because it was a new game and there wasn’t a lot on the line”.

The defender said that, despite training for the AFLX over the summer, there were elements of the game that still surprised him.

“The halves were really quick, like before we blinked it was over.

“There was no time for settling in, it was just straight into it”.

Hawthorn made it through to Friday night’s Grand Final after accounting for Essendon and St Kilda by 19 and 22 points respectively in the round-robin games.

But the Hawks fell short of registering an early-year premiership, losing to Melbourne in the decider by 10 points.

Mirra says he can imagine the game growing to the point of even becoming an international hit.

“I see it developing a lot.

“The AFL is daring and willing to take on new things, and I think they have to in order to develop the game.

“(AFLX) is quick, fast-paced and the players like playing it, so I think it’s now a matter of just converting the fans”.