LOUIS Butler will become the third Western Bulldogs player to debut in 2020.

The speedy defender was selected with pick No.53 in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft and joins Laitham Vandermeer and Ben Cavarra in getting their first call-ups this season.

DOG DOWN Star midfielder out for up to six weeks

The ex-Sandringham Dragons defender is classy with ball in hand and will provide the most value as a rebounding backman.

"We were just doing a game review, and it got to the end and Bevo started talking a bit about me and just said I was playing," Butler told the Bulldogs club website ahead of Thursday's clash against Sydney.

"It's something I'll probably never forget.

"It's a dream come true – I'm over the moon."

With Josh Dunkley set to miss at least six weeks, Toby McLean could shift from half-back to the midfield, opening up a spot for Butler.