Versatile Saint Isaac Keeler will make his AFL debut on Saturday night against Geelong, two years on since he first joined an AFL list.
The key positional player can sit in defence or become an aerial threat in the forward line, evidenced by soaring pack marks in the Community Series match against Port Adelaide and in the VFL last year.
Keeler played 12 and 14 games for St Kilda's VFL affiliate Sandringham in 2023 and 2024 respectively. The 20-year-old has kicked 19 goals while juggling both defence and forward line positions, including four hauls of three goals.
His best performance was one of his most recent, kicking three goals, taking seven marks and amassing 16 disposals against Richmond's VFL side in Round 20.
Two years after joining the Saints as Pick 44 in the 2022 National Draft, the South Australian product will be a part of the starting line-up this weekend.
Isaac Keeler just reeled in ๐ฉ๐๐ Mark of the Year! ๐คฏ pic.twitter.com/IkvF7rU8Zr
โ St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) March 31, 2024
Close friend and teammate, as well as a fellow SA St Kilda player, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera announced Keeler's debut in front of the playing group on Thursday.
St Kilda general manager David Misson said the club was excited to see what Keeler could produce in his first AFL outing.
โWe congratulate Isaac on earning selection and look forward to welcoming his friends and family along on Saturday to see his life-long dream realised,โ Misson said.
โIsaac is a much-loved member of our playing group and we can't wait to see what he can do with his opportunity on Saturday.โ
Keeler is the fourth debutant for the Saints already this season, following in the footsteps of SANFL SSP signing Harry Boyd, 2024 mid-season draftee Max Hall and Category B rookie Liam O'Connell.
