Ben McKay will step out for his first game of football since being drafted after he was cleared to play for Werribee in a curtain raiser at the MCG on Friday night.

North’s first selection in the 2015 National Draft (pick 21), McKay is a long-term prospect and considered a possible replacement for key-forward Drew Petrie in the coming years.

The 18-year-old will feature in a match against the AFL’s Under 18 Academy team, which boasts some of the most exciting underage talent in the land.

McKay will be joined by several other first and second year players from Arden Street, including Ryan Clarke, Declan Mountford, Sam Durdin and Mitch Hibberd.

The game is set to begin at 4.35pm, ahead of the clash between Collingwood and Richmond.

Supporters can watch the match live on AFL.com.au, with reports on the North players involved in the days following on NMFC.com.au.