FIFTEEN-year-old Daniel Hillier will make his Ballarat Football League senior debut tonight.
Hillier will suit up for Melton South against 2011 grand finalist Sunbury on enemy territory at Sunbury.
The Panther cub is one of three certain debutants for the club in its second Red Onion BFL outing.
Sunbury will sport a young outfit due to a heavy pre-season injury toll but the Panthers still expect a tough, hard bout.
Panthers coach Shane Geddes said he had no hesitation calling up the youngster from the club's under-16s for the important clash.
"He can play back, forward and as an onballer. He's young, fit, quick and can jump 7mdash; everything you want in a senior players," Geddes said.
"...if a kid's got good enough football ability there is no reason why he shouldn't be considered for seniors.''
Key position player and ruck option Mitch Portoglou and returning Panther Cole Simpkin will also debut for the club in the Panthers' second game this season.
While still a round one clash, the Panthers had a narrow loss to Darley in a stand-alone round two fixture 10 days ago as a prelude to the BFL opening week.
Sunbury, set for its first season match, will debut four players in recruits Xavier Linton, Ryan Davis and under-18 graduates BJ Kilty and Tim Hill.
Davis, who transfers from Melton, is also an under-18 graduate.
The Lions have ruled out experienced key position player Simon Clarke but have named James Rizk for his second senior game and seasoned youngsters James Fedoruk and Greg Hay, who were both on the club's under-18 list last season. Lions coach Rick Horwood said the club, which selected its best 24 available players last Thursday night, would have a light run last night and were raring to hit the field.
"We're expecting a really close, hard contest — that's the brand they played against Darley and the wet weather forecast would cause that sort of football," Horwood said.
"Round one is always very unpredictable with everyone enthusiastic and keen so it should be an interesting game."
