He can kick and he can handball but former rugby league star Israel Folau will need to improve if his conversion to Australian Rules is to be a success.

Folau made his debut for Greater Western Sydney in the AFL Challenge match against Port Adelaide on Saturday and showed he had the strength and fitness to compete at the top level.

But the former Test and State of Origin star was exposed tactically with Power forward Jay Schulz leading him a merry dance to kick four goals on him in the first half.

Starting at full back, Folau was caught napping on numerous occasions as Schulz repeatedly led up the ground, leaving his celebrated opponent in his dust.

The Giants star recruit was shifted into the forward line in the third-quarter before returning to centre-half-back in the final term.

He played about 85 per cent of the game with veteran coach Kevin Sheedy giving him a good run in hot conditions at the country venue, north of Adelaide.

In the end, his much-awaited debut mattered little with Port cruising to a 95-point win 21.13 (139) to 6.8 (44).

Schulz kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance while Robbie Gray was also in good form with three goals along with Cameron Hitchcock and Daniel Motlop.

For the Giants, Gerald Ugle showed spark with two goals and some useful touches with ruckman Jonathan Giles probably the side's best on the day.

Folau took one strong mark and had a handful of possessions, including what Sheedy said was probably the slickest handball by anyone on the ground.

He showed plenty of courage in contested possessions with his premiership coach happy with the efforts of his new star.

Sheedy said Folau's biggest mistake was allowing his opponent too much latitude, but that was part of his AFL education.

"To turn up and play his first ever gave of AFL, I thought he was pretty good," Sheedy said.

"His kicking is okay and he's definitely courageous, so I'm quite happy."

Folau said he found reading the play the hardest part of his new code and he was surprised by the amount of talking out on the ground.

"I'll certainly learn a lot from today's game and I'll take that into the next game that I play," he said.

"This was different, a lot more running but as I play more games I'll get used to that."

"You've got to think quick in this game and make quick decisions.

"But just being out there was good."

Folau said he now felt part of the AFL community and was even more excited about his switch from league.

"Today was a good experience for me," he said.

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