Greater Western Sydney top-10 draftee Tom Green will be a Giant for the next four years, after the young midfielder extended his initial two-year deal a further two seasons.
Better yet, the Giants academy product will celebrate his re-signing by lining up against Geelong in round one on Saturday, after he was handed his debut by coach Leon Cameron on Wednesday.
Green's debut will occur under unusual circumstances, with the Giants set to run out to an empty Giants Stadium amid the tight restrictions on public crowds implemented by government in response to the coronavirus.
And still there is a chance this weekend's action may not go ahead, with the AFL under increasing pressure to follow the lead of other major sporting codes around the world and suspend the season entirely.
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But despite all the distractions and uncertainty surrounding his first game in the orange and charcoal, the 19-year-old is ready to go.
“I’m just pumped,” Green said on Wednesday.
“It’s not really a tough position to be in, I’m just really fortunate to have been given this opportunity.
“Obviously I’m hoping the game goes ahead but I’m just looking forward to it. I’m really, really excited and I’m just hoping to get out there.
“It might be a bit strange but I’m just pumped to play.”
A Canberra local who has risen through the ranks of the Giants' academy before being selected with the 10th pick in last year's AFL draft, Green's debut comes off the back of a stellar pre-season.
It included impressive showings during the Marsh Community Series against the likes of Richmond premiership duo Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin, and Sydney midfielders Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker.
Cameron said the young gun has looked at home in the side's midfield throughout the pre-season, playing alongside the likes of Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield.
“Tom’s had a really big week,” Cameron said.
“He’s extended by a couple of years … which is fantastic but equally he’ll make his debut on Saturday night.
“He had a terrific [pre-season] - not just Marsh Series, we’ve played a couple of intra clubs and scratch matches and he’s been in really good form.
"It’s a huge tick for a young kid coming in in his first year to be picked in round one. It’s really exciting for us as a footy club.”
