Brisbane Lions utility Cody Curtin will make his AFL debut against Essendon on Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.
Curtin, selected with Pick 43 in the 2025 draft from West Coast Junior Football Club and Claremont in the WAFL, is an exciting talent who offers further versatility.
WATCH: COACH CHRIS FAGAN ANNOUNCES CURTIN’S DEBUT
The 18-year-old Western Australian stands at 200-centimetres tall and can play a variety of position including key forward, defender and ruck.
Curtin, the brother of Adelaide utility Dan Curtin, will become the third player to make their AFL debut for the Lions this season.
“I am so excited and ready to go, I feel like I’ve been dreaming of this for years, “Curtin said.
“When Fages (coach Chris Fagan) told me, I had a massive rush of excitement and had goosebumps instantly.
“But the message from him is simple, it is just to create a contest in the air and then bring the pressure once it hits the deck.
“Jonesy (development coach Liam Jones) has helped me lots recently with a body work and doing lots of vision, so to work on this part of my game has been a massive help.”
Lions coach Chris Fagan confirmed the news of Curtin’s debut during his weekly press conference before the team’s main training session on Thursday morning.
“He was on track to play Round 1 but got injured, so we look forward to his contribution and hope it is a start to a long and terrific career at our football club,” Fagan said.
“He performed really well over the preseason and in the practice games, so we were really bullish about him, and he has been back playing in the reserves.
“He is a 200-centimetre competitor who halves contests and puts pressure on.
“We don’t expect the world from him, but as long as he plays to his strengths and makes a contest, he will help our forward line.”
The Brisbane Lions will name their final team for Saturday’s match with Essendon at 6:20pm today.
