In line with the Club’s youth policy, Karnezis was the ninth player handed their debut in 2011, and he made his mark from his very first kick.
Selected as the team’s substitute for the Round 13 clash against Richmond at the Gabba, Karnezis was brought on late in the second quarter for the injured Mitch Clark.
His first ever possession in senior AFL football came courtesy of a handball from heavily tagged skipper Jonathan Brown, which Karnezis promptly snapped through the goalposts.
His second touch was a mark inside 50, which he lined up and booted through on the three-quarter time siren - giving the young gun two goals from his first two kicks.
“It was all so weird and after that, we were in front and going well and I thought ‘Jeez, I’ve kicked by first goal with my first kick’,” Karnezis said.
It was a dream debut in what would turn out to be a solid first year at the Club, and Karnezis was rewarded with the Rookie of the Year award at the 2011 Club Champion Dinner.
Karnezis came to the Lions in the 2010 AFL National Draft at Pick No.25 as a shy youngster in a new city.
Being away from home for the first time is something that most young draftees experience, but for Karnezis, who comes from a tight-knit Greek family, it was especially difficult.
“I come from a pretty tight family and getting drafted to Brisbane was a blessing, but at the start it was awkward,” Karnezis said.
“It was pretty tough for Mum and Dad and my brother and extended family, and even some mates as well.”
But while settling into a new life in a new city was challenging for the then 18-year-old, he put his head down and worked hard from day one.
His steady work rate and progress caught the eye of the match committee, who rewarded his consistent efforts in the Reserves with his senior call-up - and the rest is history.
Karnezis went on to be selected for every senior game since his debut, and became a regular part of the Lions’ forward line.
Under the mentorship of housemates Brent Staker and Xavier Clarke, Karnezis threw himself into life at the Club and signalled his commitment to the Lions by signing a contract extension in July, which will see him remain with the Club until at least the end of 2013.
And the young Lion couldn’t be happier with his first year of AFL football.
“It is so exciting to be here,” he said.
“It’s been a long journey from where I started but it’s amazing to see how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown up.”
