Stawell's Ben Taylor will make his debut for Northern Territory Thunder on Saturday.
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The 21-year-old has been selected to play against Redland in the annual ANZAC clash.
The round four match of the North East Australian Football League will be played in Brisbane.
Taylor returned to full training over a week ago after being sidelined with his first senior football injury.
"I was excited to be injury free and to know I was injury free," he said.
"I was confident in the work that I had done in the gym and through the rehabilitation program and thankful to get back out there with the boys and have a run.
"I went to training earlier than usual on Thursday and before I started warming up I went into my coach Darren's (Reeves) office.
"When he revealed the whiteboard with my name on it and said "congratulations mate, you've earned it", it didn't feel real."
Thunder coach Darren Reeves described Taylor as an impressionable youngster.
"Ben has done the hard work in the gym and on the track to get his body right and has earned the call-up this week," he said.
"He is a smart user of the ball, and during the NTFL season with St Mary's we saw his impressive turn of speed which he used to break out of the contest.
"Playing NEAFL footy is a step up but a challenge he has been craving, so we're keen to see him develop at this level."
Some of Taylor's family will make their way to the ground and will be watching from the sidelines in Brisbane.
"We are all so proud of him and the way he has stood up and never walked away from his dream," mother Susan said.
"He's been through quite a bit in the last few months with illness and injury.
"Those were tough times for a mum - I was just on the other end of the phone riding the waves and supporting him to keep sticking at it and following his dreams.
"After he rang to say he was in the side he told me he couldn't believe it.
"I knew he could do it and kept telling him to get himself healthy and just hang in there."
Mrs Taylor said throughout Taylor's career he has endured many ups and downs.
"We've had people that have put him, his abilities and his dreams down over the years," she said.
"We've had to overcome that and I am so proud of how he has used those negatives and turned them into positives and just worked harder to get to where he wants to be.
"Now, he's got there!"
Cheering on from Stawell will be his grandparents, Geoff and Gwen Dunn.
"We couldn't be happier and prouder of Ben - we are absolutely wrapped," Mr Dunn said.
"I've been following his career since he began kicking the football.
"I remember his father kicking the football to him and only letting him use his left foot - that's how he began to be skilled on both sides."
Mr and Mrs Dunn will watch the game live streamed on YouTube.
"We are devastated we couldn't make the trip up there to watch it in person," he said.
"He will play well and we are so excited to watch him play and follow his dreams."
Taylor, a two-time Swifts best and fairest winner, will be supported by his Victorian club.
"All the boys are just as excited for his first game as he is," co-coach Scott Carey said.
"It's a well-deserved opportunity for the amount of time and effort he puts into his football."
Swifts president Steve Hoffman reiterated Carey's thoughts.
"To have him up there representing the club and pursue his childhood dream is a fantastic opportunity for him," he said.
"As a club, we've tried to encourage him as best as we can from here and hopefully one day when he is ready he comes back and pulls on the teal, black and white once more."
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