SYDNEY Swans’ Irish recruit Brendan Murphy played his first ever game of Australian football in a reserves practice match against the New South Wales ACT Rams on Saturday.

The international rookie looked impressive, and with his brother who is living in Sydney watching on he scored his first ever goal.

"It's a moment I'll never forget, with my brother here watching on and all the boys here to support me," Murphy said.

"It was great to get a game. In training you can only develop so far but in a match you learn so much more. I was just loving it out there, I could have played another match."

Murphy began the game alongside his compatriot Tadhg Kennelly, but  the premiership player had to leave the field in the second quarter with a jarred shoulder.

Daniel Currie also played his first game for the year, niggling groin issues preventing him from participation in any of the Swans’ NAB Cup or NAB Challenge games, and draftee Patrick Veszpremi also impressed in his competitive debut.

"He showed all the reasons why we drafted him. He's definitely got some talent. He has a great ability to get hold of the footy," Swans assistant coach John Longmire said.

Longmire also singled out debutant Murphy for praise.