Despite being "nervous as" heading into the session, the 18-year-old Tasmanian was among the standout performers in last Friday's match simulation against North Melbourne at Simonds Stadium.
Playing across half-back, he impressed Geelong's coaching staff by displaying good skills and sound decision-making.
"I had no idea what to expect,"Thurlow told AFL.com.au. "But once we got out there, went through our warm-up and got into it, I was fine.
"Obviously, it wasn't just like another game of footy, because you were playing against the blokes you were watching on TV last year.
"But I really enjoyed that. I was a good first little insight into what it's like, I guess.
"I haven’t got the biggest frame going around, so I need to work on a my strength a little bit.
"But I didn't get knocked about too much."
Thurlow began his first AFL pre-season on a restricted program after suffering a broken thumb and facial fractures while playing for Launceston in last year's Tasmanian State Football League second semi-final.
In the past two months, however, he has gradually stepped up his training load.
"All I basically do is eat, train and sleep for as long as I can," Thurlow said.
"It's pretty tiring, but that's what you've got to do to even get a slight chance to compete at the highest level.
"Probably the length of the training sessions (have been a shock).
"We have main training sessions that last for two and a bit hours at times, and I've never really trained for that long before.
"But it's not too bad at all. All the boys have fantastic and I feel right at home."
Thurlow, who was taken by Geelong with pick 16 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, hopes to further press his claims when the Cats hold three more joint sessions with the Kangaroos on the next three Fridays.
Then he's hoping to make a good impression during the NAB Cup.
"I'm excited. Hopefully I can get a game in that and see how I go," Thurlow said.
As for the chances of him lining up against the Hawks in round one, he knows a lot of work still lies ahead.
"'Head down, bum up'. I guess that's the term that's been thrown around a fair bit from my family.
"Hopefully I can play some good footy in the pre-season and get a senior game. I've certainly got a few goals in place to get to that."
Adam McNicol covers Geelong news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_AdamMcNicol
