Exciting forward Matty Parker is on the verge of completing part one of a mission that seemed impossible only two years ago.

The mature-age recruit has been rewarded with a spot in St Kilda’s 22 to take on the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

Two years ago, Matty Parker was playing B-Grade amateurs in WA.



This Sunday, he’ll make his AFL debut.



- https://t.co/KSajsxIFWL pic.twitter.com/1hBOBeIvU6 — St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) March 21, 2019

Parker received the good news from coach Alan Richardson at the end of training on Thursday, capping an impressive summer that included two eye-catching JLT performances.

READ: Parker's point to prove

Parker was playing amateur football in Perth only two years ago, before igniting his AFL dream at South Fremantle in the WAFL.

The 22-year-old booted 27 goals for the Bulldogs in 2018 and averaged 4.2 tackles per game, all the while digging holes for an underground gas pipe company to pay the bills.

Having kept an eye on the excitement machine since his debut WAFL game, the Saints pounced with pick 47 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft.

WATCH: Matty Parker flies high



The livewire bagged two goals in JLT 1 against the Kangaroos and led the team for pressure acts, before another impressive display against the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat.

“It’s a dream come true,” Parker said today before telling his partner and little boy (Matty Jr) of the good news.

“I just want to get out there and start to repay the faith this club has shown in me.”



