NORTH Melbourne will hand Corey Wagner a debut in Friday night's huge game against the Hawks.

In Wednesday, Kangaroos coach Brad Scott told the 19-year-old he had been selected while teammates surrounded the former Brisbane Lions academy member.

"I was in the change-rooms with all the boys – Ziebs (Jack Ziebell), Tippo (Joel Tippett) was there, Froggy (Trent Dumont) was there," Wagner told the club website.

"Scotty (Brad Scott) came in and said, 'Do you reckon he could play?’. A couple said no, a couple said yes. Then he (Scott) shook my hand and said, 'You'll make your debut this week'."

The small forward is the first Kangaroo selected in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft to make his debut this season.

Wagner was in the Lions academy squad, but the Kangaroos put in a bid for him at selection No.43 which the Lions chose not to match.

Noted for his forward pressure, he kicked three goals against Collingwood in his last appearance in the VFL a fortnight ago.

He was rested ahead of this week's game due to Werribee playing on Sunday and Robin Nahas breaking his finger against Geelong.

"I was really keen. I can’t wait for it to happen," Wagner said.

"I had a fair idea it was coming this week, but I wasn't getting my hopes up."

Wagner is the brother of Melbourne's Josh Wagner, who also made his senior debut this year.