Josh Begley has been selected to make his AFL debut against Gold Coast on Saturday night.

The 188cm player has featured across half forward and in the midfield in the VFL this season.

He was selected with the Club’s third pick (number 31 overall) in last November’s National Draft.

Begley has been in excellent form in the VFL where he has played 15 games and averaged 13 disposals, three marks and four tackles. He’s also booted 18 goals from 31 scoring shots.

Essendon Coach John Worsfold said fans could expect a ‘hard working effort’ from the first game player.

“He really hunts the footy, puts a lot of tackling pressure on,” Worsfold said.

“We know he can kick goals and contribute to a forward line that is going to kick goals as well.

“He has been working extremely hard.

“He was good against Box Hill Hawks – the top team in the VFL – last week, so he’s been banging on the door for a while and finally gets his opportunity.”

At the start of last season, Begley was playing local football but he made an immediate impression when he joined Eastern Ranges (under former Bomber Darren Bewick).

He averaged 17 possessions (nine contested) and almost two goals a game in 15 TAC Cup appearances, including 14 goals in his first three outings.