North Melbourne mid-season draftee Zac Banch will make his AFL debut this Saturday when the Kangaroos take on the Sydney Swans at the SCG in Round 19.

Senior coach Alastair Clarkson delivered the exciting news to Banch in front of his teammates on Thursday, marking a significant milestone for the 22-year-old small forward.

Banch, who was selected with pick No.2 in the 2025 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft from Werribee, has quickly made an impression at Arden Street. 

His strong performances in the VFL have seen him average two goals per game, showcasing his impact with ball in hand and relentless forward pressure. 

Banch was also a pivotal member of the Werribee Tigers' 2024 VFL premiership-winning side.

His debut makes him the fifth Kangaroo to play his first AFL game this season, joining Finn O’Sullivan and Jacob Konstanty (Round 1), Matt Whitlock (Round 4), and Finnbar Maley (Round 8).

The full North Melbourne team for Saturday's clash will be unveiled at 6.20pm AEST on Thursday night.