THE ABILITY to adapt to senior football quickly has first-year Saint Nick Coffield well in the frame for a debut in round one.

The No.8 pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft hasn't missed a beat in his first AFL pre-season, and the reward was a spot in the club's first JLT Community Series clash against Carlton last week.

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While St Kilda struggled in its first competitive hit-out for the year, Coffield impressed with his composure, decision making and ball use off half-back.

Another strong performance against Melbourne at Casey Fields on Thursday night will go a long way to the 19-year-old earning his first AFL game against Brisbane in the opening round of the season.

If his life-long dream does come true quicker than expected, Coffield told AFL.com.au he's confident he wouldn't let his new teammates down.

"I think I'd be able to play my role and help the boys out (if I was selected for round one)," Coffield said.

"The two hardest things were pace and physicality (against Carlton), because stepping into the AFL everyone is bigger than you, and the ball moves so much quicker than in match simulation and intraclubs.

"It took a little bit of time to get used to the pace and find my composure with the ball and match it with the bigger bodies.

"I've been exposed (to senior footy now), and hopefully I can fit in, but I think I'd be ready."

It hasn't taken long for key defender Nathan Brown to realise the Saints have a very talented prospect on their hands, with the veteran marvelling at the rapid rate the former Northern Knights' skipper has developed in his short time at the club.

Coffield's 20 possessions and five rebound 50s against the Blues has Brown convinced the defensive playmaker has the "rare" ability to debut and perform at such a young age.

"I've worked closely with 'Coff' down in the backline, and I think his composure for his first hit-out against AFL opponent was fantastic," Brown said.

"Normally the faster pace and high skills does take a bit (of time) for younger fellas to come in and get up to speed, but Nick has been fantastic so far.

"I think (he is) ready."

With coach Alan Richardson needing to replace retired club great Leigh Montagna across half-back, Coffield has the speed, foot skills and attacking mindset to help fill the vitally-important role.

An impressive 13 goals across 16 games in the TAC Cup last year was complemented by a lightning time of 2.87 in the 20-metre sprint at the Draft Combine back in November.

"I'm definitely more comfortable playing off half-back at the moment, it's where I've been exposed to in the TAC Cup and at the National Under-18 Carnival," Coffield said.

"It comes a lot more naturally than playing midfield, but I'd love to play in the midfield when I become more mature and the longer I play.

"I reckon I'm best suited in the backline."

Coffield isn't the only draftee catching the eye at Seaford, with new close friend and soon-to-be housemate Hunter Clark also in the mix for a round-one debut.

With Clark being taken with the selection before him (pick seven) and impressing just as much, Coffield joked the duo are battling to forge their own identities.

"Everyone mentions us in the same sentence because I'm not really spoken about without Hunter as well," Coffield said.

"We'd only played against each other in the nationals and when (the Knights) played Dandenong, so we really never spoke to each other or knew each other before the draft.

"We're really close now, he's a great player, and hopefully we can have a long career together at the Saints."