Sydney have announced they will debut mid-season draftee Tom Hanily and former Saint Ben Paton in Friday's Opening Round encounter with Hawthorn.
Hanily, not selected in the 2023 National Draft, was taken at Pick 14 in last year's mid-season draft after impressing with Gippsland at the start of the football season.
The small midfielder-forward averaged 25 disposals a game at the Coates League level, earning a move to New South Wales. Hanily kitted up for Sydney's VFL side eight times to close out his 2024 campaign, averaging 14 disposals and kicking six goals.
Hanily has impressed in his first full pre-season at the club and demonstrated his improvement in his first senior hitout against Gold Coast, recording 13 disposals, three tackles and two clearances in the Community Series match.
The 179cm 19-year-old possesses crafty forward skill and hard-running, agile athleticism.
Former St Kilda defender Ben Paton will also make his club debut for Sydney after 71 games at Moorabbin.
Offered an AFL lifeline after his delisting in October, the 26-year-old has impressed teammates this pre-season, including star Errol Gulden, for his committed work ethic on the track.
The defender's hard work has been immediately rewarded, set to line-up in Opening Round in Dean Cox's first game as senior coach.
โI'm very proud to be playing for the club, it's such a great honour,โ Paton said.
โIt's a very tight group and to get the support from the boys was really nice, they've made me feel so welcome.
โPlaying in front of a full house is always exciting and it will be awesome to do it at the SCG, I'm really looking forward to it.โ
Hanily was overcome with emotion and stunned by the news, but the rookie was elated to get his first crack at AFL level.
โThe feeling is just as good as draft night," Hanily said.
"To have the opportunity to run out at the SCG in front of the Bloods faithful with this bunch of boys is something I'm really looking forward to.
โIn the pre-season I did my quad,ย soย I thought this moment was a bit further away.
"To be here now is terrific.โ
Sydney's Opening Round match comes against Hawthorn on Friday, set to kickstart the AFL's 2025 season after Brisbane and Geelong's Thursday night clash was postponed due to Cyclone Alfred.
