The Western Bulldogs have announced a trio of players to make their debuts for the club in Saturday's clash against North Melbourne.
Fresh off-season recruit Matthew Kennedy will don the red, white and blue for the first time after 118 games at Carlton and GWS. Kennedy is a welcome inclusion and can forge a spot in the midfield with Adam Treloar and Marcus Bontempelli sidelined through injury for Round 1.
Draftees Sam Davidson and Josh Dolan have also earned a spot in the line-up after impressive pre-seasons and performances in the Bulldogs' trial games.
Davidson, taken at Pick 51 in the 2024 National Draft, bolted towards a debut at the back-end of summer, with a 29-disposal and one-goal performance against Hawthorn in the Community Series ensuring his place in the side.
A creative midfielder-forward, Dolan showed promising signs in the Dogs' scratch match against Essendon. The Pick 31 is a running machine, evidenced throughout the pre-season.
In the rehab group for stages of the pre-season, Dolan couldn't believe he was already making his debut, anticipating a longer wait before his chance came.
"My heart was pumping when he said 'this bloke's had an interrupted pre-season', so I was surprised. It was great, I was stoked, still stoked," Dolan said.
"I thought I was gonna be on a completely different journey. I'm stoked with where I'm at, I thought it was going to take a bit longer considering I'm a bit smaller and had that interrupted pre-season. To get here though, I'm really happy and stoked."
Davidson was equally ecstatic with the announcement.
"I'm over the moon, as expected," Davidson said.
"Boyhood club, and this is what you strive to do, play an AFL senior game, so super excited and to share it with Joshy as well is really special."
North Melbourne also confirmed an AFL debut for recruit Jacob Konstanty, who moved to Arden Street over the off-season after two years with Sydney.
Konstanty didn't feature at senior level for the Swans during his time in New South Wales, however the small forward will get an immediate chance at North Melbourne when the Roos meet the Dogs.
The Gippsland product was traded to the Kangaroos alongside teammate Luke Parker, with the latter being the one to inform Konstanty of his inclusion for Saturday night's hitout.
Meanwhile, Fremantle have announced their top pick of the 2024 National Draft, Murphy Reid, will make his debut against the Cats on Saturday afternoon.
Murphy was taken at Pick 17 in last year's draft, which was a slight slide in the rankings after being touted throughout the season as top-10 pick.
Reid was stunned by the "surreal" news of living out his boyhood dream.
โI can't really explain how I'm feeling right now, it's very surreal. A dream come true,โ Reid said.
โI'm so lucky to be at such a great club and to be able to do that (make his debut) for the club, and being able to do it in Melbourne with so many friends and family who will be able to come down and support me in Geelong, it's a surreal feeling.โ
The Dockers take on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon, while the trio of new Bulldogs faces will play at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
