THE EMPHASIS on youth continues at Melbourne this year with Dean Bailey set to unveil four new Demons in Sunday's season opener against the Kangaroos at the MCG.

Jake Spencer, Kyle Cheney, Jamie Bennell and Neville Jetta all found out on Thursday that they would make their AFL debuts at the home of football in the clash with North Melbourne.

"The four of us were told to stick around after training and we all went into a back room and they had the team up on the magnetic board," Spencer, who was recently elevated off the rookie list, explained.

"Bails said 'you boys with your magnets up there are playing'. We were all rapt. They told us to call our families while we were still in there with the coaches so it was all a bit surreal."

All the lads duly informed their parents of the big news except for Jetta.

"I couldn't get in contact with mum and dad because they're moving over here and they're actually driving across the Nullarbor at the moment," the former Bunbury local said. 

"But I rang my sisters and they managed to get in touch with them as they were near the WA-SA border. They thought they were coming to watch me play for Casey on Saturday, but they know they can take their time a bit now.

"This time last year I wasn't even thinking about AFL and as I saw my name on the board I couldn't stop smiling. It didn't really hit me until today."

News that long-time friend Bennell would also debut shouldn’t have come as a surprise to Jetta as the pair have shared a strong link going right back to their days playing junior football for Carey Park footy club in Bunbury.

"It's been a great journey together starting right back in the under-10s," Bennell said.

"Last year I'd look across the change rooms and see Neville there and I can still look over and see him. I can't get rid of him.

"I'm stoked, excited; all of those emotions. It was a big surprise to me, I didn't think it would happen this soon, but I've been working hard at training and I guess that's paid off."

The close association is set to continue with Bennell to move in with Jetta once his parents have set up house in Melbourne.

A noticeably bigger Cheney has worked hard since joining the club via the 2007 NAB AFL Draft at pick 53 and draws a lot of confidence from lessons learned during his developmental season with Sandringham.

"I honestly don't think I would have been ready to play last year," Cheney admitted.

"I was a bit behind the eight ball in a couple of areas and I knew I had a lot to work on, but I've knuckled down and improved a lot just over this pre-season, so I think I deserve my spot now.”

Cheney has improved both his speed and endurance markedly over the past summer which will help him match up on zippy small forwards.