NORTH Melbourne key position prospect Robbie Tarrant will make his AFL debut against the Sydney Swans on Sunday.
Tarrant was selected by North at pick No.15 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, but underwent three shoulder reconstructions in his first two seasons.
Having found strong form with VFL affiliate Werribee in recent weeks, the 21-year-old will bolster North's backline in the absence of Nathan Grima, who is fighting to overcome an ankle injury.
"He's had a long, tough introduction to AFL footy with a lot of injuries ... and he's someone we're really keen to get into the side," coach Brad Scott said.
"He's a terrific athlete. At 196 centimetres, to have the agility and the speed that he's got is a real attribute.
"He played his junior footy as a forward but he's been more than capable in defence this year for Werribee.
"It's been a long time coming for him and I think he's just really excited to get out there and show what he can do."
Grima was clearly missed in last week's 35-point loss to Geelong, and Scott agreed that he had been North's most important defender this year.
Scott has included Drew Petrie after he made it through Thursday's main session.
Petrie fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot against Fremantle in round 10 - his comeback match from a similar injury to his left foot.
Though the vice-captain has only played one senior game in 2010, Scott suggested he was too good a player to bring back through the VFL.
"Watching him this week, he's trained so strongly ... we feel he's ready to come up," he said.
"As long as he's physically capable of covering the ground we need him to, then he's ready to play at AFL level.
"We talk about Jonathan Brown for Brisbane and Nick Riewoldt for St Kilda, but Drew really is our equivalent. He's just that important to our structure."
Scott expected the Swans to respond strongly to their surprise loss to Richmond last round, but said vision of their fourth-quarter fadeout hadn't been used to prepare his players.
And with eighth spot up for grabs, the result will shape North's season.
"It's fair to say that whoever wins this game is going to be more likely than the other to make the finals," Scott said. "It's as simple as that."
Scott was joined at Thursday's media conference by Australian Boomers coach Brett Brown.
This week, the Arden Street facilities have accommodated a mini-camp for 10 players ahead of the world basketball championships in Istanbul, Turkey.
North Melbourne team:
Backs: M.Firrito 11 S.Thompson 16 B.Rawlings 3
Half Backs: S.Wright 19 R.Tarrant 25 D.Pratt 30
Centreline: L.Adams 13 B.Harvey 29 R.Bastinac 28
Half Forwards: M.Campbell 33 L.Hansen 6 B.Warren 5
Forwards: D.Wells 8 D.Petrie 20 L.Thomas 12
Followers: H.McIntosh 1 A.Swallow 9 L.Greenwood 24
Interchange: From E.Lower 2 B.Cunnington 10 T.Goldstein 22
C.Garlett 32 G.Urquhart 14 L.Harding 39 S.McMahon 42
In: D.Petrie , L.Harding , G.Urquhart , R.Tarrant
Out: J.Ziebell (Leg)
New: R.Tarrant (debut)
