MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 27: Patrick Naish and Jack Higgins of the Tigers handballs during a Richmond Tigers AFL pre-season training session at Swinburne Oval on November 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Richmond have announced that first-round pick Jack Higgins will debut against Hawthorn this weekend.

Higgins was taken with pick 17 in last year’s NAB AFL draft after winning the MVP award for Vic Metro and the TAC Cup’s Morrish Medal and being named in the All Australian team.

The exciting small forward/midfielder will assume the role of suspended premiership player Josh Caddy, who was found guilty of striking last week.

The 19-year old earned his call up into the senior side after some impressive form for Richmond’s VFL team.

In a practice match against Box Hill last week, Higgins collected 22 disposals, laid five tackles and kicked one goal.

Tigers development coach Xavier Clarke has raved about the youngster after working closely with him on his game over the summer and says the club are impressed with his enthusiasm and tenacity.

"He ran a 10.10 3km time trial, which is elite midfield running … his strength stuff in the gym's been pretty good, too. And he's been able to understand our game plan pretty quickly and pick that up," Clarke told the club's website. 

"His run and ability to be able to get back in defence, and then also join in the attack, is certainly one of his biggest strengths.

"He's really good in the contest and making tackles ..  and he gets a really good balance between contested and outside possession as well.

"The other good thing about Jack is he's really dangerous when it goes forward. He knows where the goals are, and he loves a goal."

Richmond take on Hawthorn at the MCG at 1:10pm on Sunday afternoon.