Kayle Kirby set to debut for AFL Magpies

Ben Reid's late exclusion for Collingwood has given 18-year-old forward talent Kayle Kirby the chance to debut at AFL level.

Collingwood will hand a debut to exciting forward prospect Kayle Kirby in their AFL season-closer with Melbourne on Saturday.

But in a quirk of fate, it could cost Kirby individual honours.

It's every young footballer's dream to play at AFL level and the 18-year-old will certainly enjoy his debut at the MCG against the Demons.

Kirby is also well worth his inclusion, which comes with the late withdrawal of Ben Reid, given he's kicked 42 goals for Collingwood's reserves.

That tally has him sitting on top of the VFL goalkickers list, alongside former Brisbane and Hawthorn forward Jordan Lisle.

His inclusion at senior level means he will miss out on adding to that tally when the Magpies play Lisle's Port Melbourne on Saturday - potentially handing his rival the award.

Whatever the outcome, Kirby seems destined to be an AFL talent, and gets a taste of it on Saturday.

"Kayle arrived at Collingwood as a player with a lot of pure talent," Collingwood football boss Geoff Walsh said.

"He has since worked tremendously hard to embrace the demands of the professional game and his form in the VFL ... has been strong, consistent and often exciting.

"Tomorrow will be reward for a lot of hard work from Kayle."

Kirby will play alongside Collingwood's other two debutants for the season - father-son recruits Callum Brown and Josh Daicos - in a young Magpie line-up.


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Source: AAP


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