It's been a long time coming but 539 days after he was selected with selection 59 at the 2008 draft, Nathan O'Keefe will make his AFL debut on Saturday.
The lightly-framed youngster was expected to take time to develop and spent much of last year playing in the Werribee reserves side at VFL level. He broke into the senior Tigers' side late in the year, and four goals against Geelong quickly thrust him into the eyes of North selectors.
An interrupted pre-season put the brakes on though with glandular fever hitting the 19 year-old hard. The illness forced him to sit on the sidelines for severeal weeks and he could only watch on as his team mates worked to get themselves fit for 2010.
The setback wasn't going to discourage O'Keefe though and he was able to return to VFL action in time for round one. He has kicked ten goals so far this season despite his designated affiliate Werribee sitting at the bottom of the ladder.
His strong form has impressed Brad Scott with the North Melbourne coach naming O'Keefe as an emergency for the past two rounds. Now, a back injury to David Hale has finally paved the way for that dream debut.
While O'Keefe will be relied upon for his presence up forward, Matt Campbell could add another dimension to North's attack in his return from injury.
Todd Goldstein will again be forced to play as a lone ruckman after Hamish McIntosh was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Cruize Garlett is the unlucky player to be omitted, while Corey Jones will be forced to spend another week at VFL level despite two consecutive best-on-ground performances.
B: M.Firrito 11 S.Thompson 16 B.Rawlings 3
HB: N.Grima 17 L.Hansen 6 D.Pratt 30
C: J.Ziebell 7 S.Wright 19 R.Bastinac 28
HF: A.Edwards 27 J.Smith 18 B.Harvey 29
F: D.Wells 8 N.O'Keefe 23 L.Thomas 12
R: T.Goldstein 22 A.Swallow 9 L.Greenwood 24
INT: S.McMahon 42 B.Cunnington 10 L.Harding 39 M.Campbell 33
EMERG: B.Norris 37 C.Jones 21 C.Garlett 32
In: M.Campbell , N.O'Keefe
Out: D.Hale , C.Garlett
