GEELONG youngster George Burbury, who will make his AFL debut against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday, is aiming to use his opportunity at the highest level to press his claims for a permanent spot on the club's senior list.

The 20-year-old found out he would line up against the Power this weekend when senior coach Chris Scott told him and his teammates during training on Tuesday morning.

"I'm very grateful that 'Scotty' was able to tell me on the Tuesday," Burbury told AFL.com.au.

"It allows me to let the emotions sink in a little bit, and hopefully by Friday night I'll be able to sleep properly.

"We were out on the training track when I found out. We'd just finished our first drill, and I was actually late to get over to the group to start the next drill.

"He pulled me aside and said, 'Are you going to shave your beard for your debut?'

"Funnily enough, I'd planned to shave it. So that's how it happened."

Burbury's big chance has come after he was elevated from the Cats' rookie list last week in place of luckless half-forward Daniel Menzel.
Although he grew up in Tasmania and his parents still live there, he will have his share of support in the stands when he runs out at AAMI Stadium.

"My immediate family will be there and maybe my girlfriend as well," he said. "And I'll have other family and friends watching on TV, which is probably what I prefer for a debut."

Burbury's journey towards his first AFL game has been full of twists and turns.

"I made the Tassie under-16 state side, but I couldn't go away because I had to have an arthroscope on my knee before the team flew away," he explained.

"In year 11, being my under-17 year, I just played school footy. I didn't push my knee too much.

"I then took up rowing to try and strengthen my knee for footy, and I took quite a liking to it.

"In year 12 I made the Tassie under-18 side for footy, and I had to drop out due to rowing commitments.

"I couldn't drop out of my rowing crew as we were coming into nationals.

"I had to make a decision. Then I played footy for the Hobart Football Club and played footy for the Hutchins School.

"I was lucky enough to play all right when the recruiters were down watching Jacob Gilbee (who was later selected by Gold Coast) and Josh Green (who was drafted by the Brisbane Lions) play.

"I was on the opposing team, luckily played all right, and I think it all started from there."

Burbury was selected by Geelong with pick 40 in the 2010 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

"I signed a one-year rookie deal, and I was a long way off AFL footy in my first year," he recalled. "I was very raw because I'd just predominantly been playing school footy.

"I did a lot of work with David Wojcinski and Jimmy Bartel. I had to improve my kicking and my general game-awareness."

After playing 16 VFL games for the Cats in 2011, Burbury emerged as a defensive forward last year.

Although he was a consistent performer throughout the season, he shot to prominence with an outstanding display in Geelong's VFL Grand Final win over Port Melbourne.

A setback followed over summer in the form of a foot stress fracture, which prevented him from playing in the NAB Cup.
Burbury has played just two games in the VFL since being declared right to go by the medical staff.

But he moved so well in those matches that he now finds himself on the Cats' senior list and in their senior team.
Just thinking about his first game this week has made him both nervous and excited.

"I think Jacko Thurlow said the other day that he had his pre-game spew. I think I've become quite accustomed to that, so that'll probably happen.

"But I'll try not to get too nervous and just try to enjoy the moment."

There are likely to be more nervous times for Burbury at the end of this season.

Because he has started each of the past three seasons on Geelong's rookie list, the club must either permanently promote him or delist him when its 2013 campaign comes to an end.

"I definitely want to stay involved in the AFL system," Burbury said. "I think if I keep listening to the coaches and keep playing my role for the team, then hopefully good things will continue to happen."

Adam McNicol covers Geelong news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_AdamMcNicol