EXPERIENCED umpire Mathew Nicholls will become the first whistleblower in recent memory to officiate in two games in same round under the three-umpire system.

Injuries to several colleagues have opened up the opportunity for Nicholls, with the 280-game veteran to oversee Thursday night's Carlton-Richmond match before doubling up for Sunday's North Melbourne-West Coast clash.

Head umpires coach Hayden Kennedy said he was confident the two-time Grand Final umpire would acquit himself well after he was one of seven umpires last year to officiate two games in a round under the four-umpire trial.

"He's durable and good enough to be able to do that," Kennedy told AFL.com.au's Whistleblowers program.

"We've had a couple of injuries and we need to get a bit more match practice into some (other umpires.)

"We need the experience of Matty."

The injuries affecting the umpiring panel have also opened the door for Nathan Williams to make his AFL debut. 

Kennedy was extremely pleased see the young West Australian progress so swiftly to the highest level.

"He's a 23-year-old from Perth, and I didn't think he'd debut this quickly, but we've had a few injuries," Kennedy said.

"We umpired Nathan through four games in the JLT and he was absolutely fantastic.

"He deserves his place and he'll debut in Perth in the Fremantle and Geelong (game) on Sunday night."