COLLINGWOOD has pulled a selection shock by naming Atu Bosenavulagi for his AFL debut, while Gold Coast will unveil former No.3 pick Izak Rankine for the first time this weekend.
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After announcing the debut of father-son key forward Will Kelly on Wednesday, the Pies will name Bosenavulagi against Hawthorn when teams are released on Thursday night.
It will be one of several debuts across the weekend, with Rankine to tackle Melbourne after overcoming a series of hamstring setbacks.
The Suns' second pick in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, Rankine has been forced to watch fellow Suns draftees Jack Lukosius and Ben King shine while dealing with soft-tissue injuries dating back to last year.
However, after strong form on the training track, the exciting small forward get his chance for the Suns' date with the Demons at Giants Stadium on Saturday night.
The Suns are also expected to recall midfielder Brayden Fiorini to replace Matt Rowell, who will undergo shoulder surgery.
Bosenavulagi, born in Fiji, was taken at pick No.77 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft as a member of the Pies' Next Generation Academy.
He also has links to Collingwood cheer squad icon Joffa Corfe, who is married to the 19-year-old's grandmother's sister.
Bosenavulagi's selection caps a phenomenal story for the Pies' recruiting team.
Recruiting boss Derek Hine, talent ID manager Adam Shepard and former Pies recruiter turned Dogs recruiting chief Dom Milesi, spent countless hours tracking Bosenavulagi through their pathway.
The trio identified the rugby convert as he joined Oakleigh for nine games in 2017 while still attempting to manage both codes.
Having represented Australia in rugby sevens at junior level, Bosenavulagi would often play for the Chargers on a Saturday and then rugby on a Sunday.
As his fitness increased through 2018, his draft prospects lifted with Hine, Shepard and Milesi frequently spotted at matches offering advice and support.
After getting to know him more, Hine was even asked to dance in front of Bosenavulagi's close friends and family at a gathering in his draft year.
The Pies are also expected to recall first-round draft pick and fellow Next Generation Academy graduate Isaac Quaynor for his first game of 2020.
