And he picked the perfect moment to do it, too.
The Kyabram forward suited up for his VFL debut during Friday’s Anzac Day clash against Williamstown, playing a role in the Tigers’ epic come-from-behind win at Avalon Airport Oval.
Reigning premier Werribee trailed by seven points heading into the last quarter, but a ferocious run-on saw the Tigers clinch a 12.7 (79) to 8.11 (59) victory over the Seagulls.
Depasquale didn’t manage to impact the scoreboard and had little use of the footy with five disposals, but a whopping seven tackles indicated his hunger to throw his body around and restrict Williamstown when it mattered.
Pre-game, he was presented the number seven guernsey by Werribee assistant coach Jarrod Young, while Kyabram club captain Aidan Robinson made the trip down the Hume Hwy to also wish Depasquale best of luck before the game.
Robinson wasn’t the only figure from the Bombers to back Depasquale all the way.
“He got an injury early in pre-season which put him back — I thought he would’ve played a bit earlier than that — but it’s great,” Kyabram co-coach Corey Carver said.
“I think every GVL club is the same, you want to see your boys go to the next level if they can.
“He was good yesterday, so we want him playing for us, but it is what it is. Hopefully he goes really well.”
Depasquale featured in Kyabram’s first three games of the Goulburn Valley League season, starring with five goals in round two against Tatura before backing it up with a monster four-goal, 36-disposal performance versus Benalla.
It was the perfect practice run before his VFL debut, where he joined fellow Goulburn Valley products Angus Hicks (Shepparton United) and Louis Pinnuck (Strathmerton) in returning the Tigers to winning ways after consecutive losses by a goal.
Elsewhere, Shepparton product Harry Boyd continued to push his case for a promotion to St Kilda’s AFL set-up after another standout game in the ruck for affiliate club Sandringham.
Despite the Zebras falling by 49 points to Brisbane, Boyd racked up 18 touches, 33 hit-outs and a whopping seven clearances.
Meanwhile, Mansfield duo Harry and Max Mahoney suited up for Collingwood alongside Euroa’s Will Hayes in a six-goal win over Essendon, with Seymour’s Riley Mason kicking a goal against his old Lions teammate Nic Quigg, who stripped up for the Bombers.
