IT HAS been a crazy 24 hours for Western Bulldogs recruit Ryan Gardner, with the key position player told he will make his AFL debut against West Coast on Sunday.

The 197-centimetre Gardner was drafted by the Dogs in Monday night's NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft after spending the first half of the season with the club's VFL side.

Coach Luke Beveridge told Gardner he would be playing this weekend during his first Bulldogs AFL team meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

GARDNER'S FOOTBALL JOURNEY Former Cats long trip back to the AFL 

He was on Geelong's AFL list for three seasons before being delisted at the end of last year without playing a senior game.

The 21-year-old is set for a daunting debut against the reigning premiers in Perth and could line up on Josh Kennedy or Jack Darling if used in defence.

He is also capable of playing up forward and pinch-hitting in the ruck.