Key defender Toby Pink will finally make his AFL debut on Saturday for North Melbourne when they take on the GWS Giants.

This has been a long time coming for Pink who was first drafted by the Sydney Swans seven years ago through their Rookie List. However, he was delisted at the end of 2019 after not playing a game across the three seasons he was at the club.

The defender returned home to play in the SANFL after his stint at the Swans, where he was able to help his Glenelg side to a 2023 premiership and was named in the SANFL Team of the Year.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: AFL Legend and Sydney Swans Goalkicking coach Tony Lockett speaks to Toby Pink of the Swans during a Sydney Swans AFL training session at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 3, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

After a dominant 2023 season in the SANFL and being on North's radar since 2020 after inviting Pink to be a part of their VFL program though it was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. He was finally signed by North Melbourne as a DFA last October. North brought him to the club to help fill the missing gap in North's backline as key defender Ben McKay moved to Essendon.

Pink will be joined by teammates Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma who will also make their AFL debuts for North Melbourne, against GWS this Saturday, March 16 in Sydney.