THE AFL's youngest player, Kayne Turner, will make his debut for North Melbourne this Saturday against Greater Western Sydney at Canberra's StarTrack Oval.

Turner, who does not turn 19 until New Year's Eve, was listed at 180cm tall and 67kg when he joined North via pick No.25 in last December's rookie draft.

The former Murray Bushranger might have looked like a gentle breeze could blow him over when he first walked into Arden Street but he soon made an impression among the North playing group with his manic attack on the ball.

Turner has looked right at home among the VFL's hardened veterans from round one this year, quickly establishing himself in Werribee's senior team.

The 18-year-old, who has put on 8kg since joining North, has played 12 VFL games in 2014 and in five of those matches was named in his team's best six players.
 
Turner has played predominantly in attack for Werribee but has moved onto the wing in recent rounds and earned his senior call-up with a 22-possession game against Port Melbourne last Sunday.

North senior development coach Gavin Brown was on the mark when he told NMFC.com.au earlier this week Turner was getting close to a senior debut.

"He puts an enormous amount of pressure on the opposition with his tackling from behind," Brown said.

"He's putting his name up there."

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Turner was more circumspect about his chances of debuting this year when he spoke to NMFC.com.au on Tuesday.

"It's good to know that I'm being thought about [for senior selection]," Turner said.

"I think I've come a long way from when I first came here and I'm doing everything I can to learn more about the game and the roles.

"I'm still getting used to the setups and running patterns and I have to get those right before I can lock down the wing position.

"I really enjoy the role though and like the freedom it gives you around the ground.

"I do like playing forward as well but I'll play anywhere if it helps the team."

Turner has kicked 13 goals for Werribee this year but it's his defensive pressure that has stood out.

Blessed with good speed, Turner has regularly run down opposition players. From rounds 13 to 15, he laid 19 tackles.

"I've really built my game around tackling and locking the ball in," Turner said.

"I love to harass and hound the opposition to create turnovers."

Turner is two days younger than the AFL's next youngest players, Port Adelaide's Sam Russell and Sydney Swan George Hewett.

He is still completing his VCE, attending Maribyrnong Secondary College after training on Monday and Tuesday afternoons and all day on Thursdays.