When Marco Paparone was first drafted to the Brisbane Lions in November last year, no great expectations were placed on him to make an immediate impact.

Most predicted the lightly built East Fremantle product would bide his time with the Lions Reserves for at least the first half of the season while he developed his craft.

Paparone himself told lions.com.au that playing a senior game in his debut season would simply be a bonus.

“If it happens (this year) and I get an AFL game, that’ll be wicked,” Paparone said.

But the 18 year-old proved a surprising standout on the training track, finishing ahead of the pack in most of the team’s summer time trials.

His form has since continued into the 2013 NEAFL season, where his supreme running ability has caused headaches for opposition State League sides.

But last week’s effort against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium was clearly Paparone’s finest yet.

He collected 28 disposals, grabbed a game-high 15 marks, and booted three goals to make it almost impossible to overlook him for senior selection.

As it turns out, Paparone will get his chance to play senior football well ahead of schedule.    

He will do so wearing the Number 22 jumper, which was most recently vacated by former ruckman Ben Hudson.

Dual premiership player and 1998 Best and Fairest Chris Scott headlines a long list of players to have done the Number 22 guernsey proud for the Club over the years.

Paparone by the numbers

12,162nd 
player to appear in VFL/AFL history

1,400th
player to represent the Club (Fitzroy and Bears included)

151st
player to represent the merged Brisbane Lions since 1997

47th
player in the Club’s combined history to wear the #22 in a senior match

Players to have worn the #22 guernsey in a senior match for the Club