North Melbourne is set to field its 992nd Shinboner this week, with Corey Wagner ready for his debut.

The 19-year-old was told the news on Wednesday, and said he couldn’t be more excited.

“I was in the change-rooms with all the boys – Ziebs (Jack Ziebell), Tippo (Joel Tippett) was there, Froggy (Trent Dumont) was there,” Wagner explained.

The coach didn’t make it easy on the small forward though.

“Scotty (Brad Scott) came in and said ‘do you reckon he could play?’. A couple said no, a couple said yes,” Wagner joked.

“Then he (Scott) shook my hand and said ‘you’ll make your debut this week’.”

Wagner will become the first of the Roos’ 2015 National Draft crop to debut, having been selected at pick 43.

The Aspley recruit has been in fine form in recent weeks for VFL affiliate Werribee. He booted three goals against Collingwood in his most recent appearance.

For any emerging footballer, it’s a dream come true to play your first game.

“Stoked. I was really keen. I can’t wait for it to happen.

“I had a fair idea it was coming this week, but I wasn’t getting my hopes up.

“A couple of the boys I think knew before I did. All of the younger boys like Dec (Mountford) and those guys jumped on me and gave me a massive hug. It got me really excited for it.”

Wagner said he’ll look to take the same mentality into Friday night’s game, as he has across his VFL performances.

“I’m not going to change anything I’ve been doing. I’m just going to keep the pressure and the tackles up and hopefully everything else works out,” he added.

“I’ll listen to ‘Boom’ (Brent Harvey), do what I’m told and hopefully he can keep me in there for a couple of weeks.”