18-year-old key position swingman Wil Dawson will make his AFL debut this Sunday at Marvel Stadium against the Bombers.
The announcement was made on Friday via social media, with Aidan Corr's birthday wish of playing with Wil "shotgun" Dawson being granted by coach Alastair Clarkson in front the jubilated North Melbourne squad.
Standing 200cm with an impressive aerial presence and ground-covering ability, the club are excited by Dawson's potential to star as a versatile key-poster, whether playing up forward, down back or in the ruck.
He will most likely line-up in defence on Sunday, Clarkson prepping the youngster for a matchup against star Bombers Peter Wright and Jake Stringer, a challenging gig for a debutant in any side.
Taken with pick 22 in last year's National Draft, the Gippsland prospect impressed Coates League recruiters and scouts with his overhead marking, mobility, performance in multiple positions and surprisingly, his tackling.
He'll be in for a tough battle against the Bomber bigs but his inclusion in the side, alongside 2024 first-gamers Miller Bergman and Curtis Taylor, should play its part in rejuvenating a winless North Melbourne side against a fierce rival.
Without skipper Jy Simpkin to lead the way, the pressure on North Melbourne's youngsters will ramp up ahead of the opening bounce on Sunday, as they look bring the youthful exuberance and energy required to match it with this in-form Essendon side fresh off their best win of the year.