AN IMPRESSIVE start to his career at the Western Bulldogs will see draftee Aaron Naughton rewarded with a round one debut against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, says Luke Beveridge.

Taken with pick No.9 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, the key defender has impressed with his ability to match it with more seasoned opponents in the JLT Community Series.

The West Australian, who has a knack of taking an intercept mark, will receive a baptism of fire against a Giants forward line possessing imposing trio Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton and, most likely, Rory Lobb.

The task will be made harder without injured teammates Marcus Adams and Dale Morris, but coach Luke Beveridge is confident the 18-year-old will acquit himself well.

Naughton will become 1001st player to don the red, white and blue.

"It’s a bit unusual for a young key position player to come onto the scene and look comfortable so quickly but he’s a big, strong, strapping lad and we’ve liked what we’ve seen," Beveridge said on Tuesday. 

"We’ll hold our breath at times, but he’s shown enough.  He took seven intercept marks in the previous JLT (match) which is a big statement from a young player."

"We don’t use the word 'exciting' too often, but it is exciting to see such a young player go out and pit his game against some of the best in the game."

The injuries to Adams and Morris won't see the plan to play skipper Easton Wood in attack aborted, with All Australian defender to start as a forward against the Giants.

Beveridge is confident his side's systematic mindset will assist the inexperienced group, with either premiership stopper Fletcher Roberts or second-year defender Lewis Young to be drafted in as cover down back.

"Easton's teammates have found it hard to play on him thought the course of the pre-season, and Easton's athletic profile in our code is second to none with his power, speed and endurance," Beveridge said.

"Put it together with his courage and skill aspects, he's a formidable opponent, back or forward.

"He's had some good involvements in the JLT Series, so we expect his game to evolve and he's going to really provide us something in that forward area."