Ash ended the game with seven disposals and three marks in the four-goal loss.
“With no crowd it kind of felt like any other game, it was different, definitely not having a crowd made the nerves stay in check,” Ash said.
“I had a little bit of time after the game back at the hotel where I was able to reflect on the match.
“But before and during the game I was just focused on doing my role for the team.”
Ash, a premiership player at Shepparton in 2018, was thrown right into the heat of a fiery rivalry between his Giants and the Bulldogs.
The first term was full of scuffles that would then erupt into a large melee on the three-quarter time siren.
Ash conceded he "steered well clear" as emotions between the two sides spilled over.
“We have a good rivalry with the Bulldogs and I thought going in that it would be a really hot contest,” he said.
“I felt like I had a good start, I was running around like a headless chook. But I faded out at the end, I was pretty gassed.
“That was probably the biggest learning curve, having consistency over four quarters.
“And the fact you have to be on your toes all the time and be accountable for your opponent.”
The former Shepparton and Katandra footballer had a familiar Goulburn Valley name on the opposing side.
Mooroopna's Laitham Vandermeer suited up for the Doggies in his second game and it left footy fans from the region with flashbacks to when the two footballers’ fathers played against one another in Goulburn Valley League.
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