Five AFL clubs from varying corners of the map have failed to contain their excitement, confirming the debuts of a total of six players for this weekend's action, before team news drops on Thursday night.
Collingwood's consequential clash with the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night will see two young men enter the AFL arena for the first time, with Craig McRae handing a debut to Mid-Season Draft addition Liam Puncher, just two games removed from Sam Swadling's impressive breakout.
A Sydney Swans academy graduate, Puncher lands at the Pies via Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL, and will debut for the storied club just 38 days after being drafted.
The Suns also announced a debutant for the fixture, with academy product Dylan Patterson, who the club took with the fifth overall selection at the 2025 National Draft, earning a call up for the sold out, marquee fixture at Carrara.
On the western seaboard, another Mid-Season Draft addition in Oliver Francou will make his debut for the West Coast Eagles against an Adelaide Crows outfit who will be eager to respond after their Showdown misfire, last time out.
Francou, plucked from North Adelaide's SANFL side, has impressed since crossing the Nullarbor, averaging 24 disposals and eight tackles a game at the WAFL level.
Rugby league convert Matt Hill has earned his first appearance for Hawthorn, traversing the Bass Strait where a clash with the Melbourne Demons awaits.
Joining him in donning the brown and gold for the first time at the level is defender Noah Mraz, a second-round pick in the 2024 National Draft. A patient approach to his development was employed by the club, but the 20-year-old Mraz earns his debut after averaging 15.6 disposals, 6.9 marks, and 3.8 rebound 50s per match in the VFL this season.
Hometown hero Riley Hamilton will wear the Giants' orange and charcoal at AFL level for the first time this weekend, in front of an adoring Canberra crowd. The Giants host the rampaging Fremantle Dockers and will need to be at their very, very best to topple the runaway ladder leaders.
Hamilton was not taken in the National Draft at the first time of asking due to an ACL injury, but earned a list spot with the expansion club following strong performances in 2025. Those performances, namely for the Giants' VFL and academy sides, and the Allies in the National Championships. The hybrid forward's is a story of perseverance.
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