Highly touted young defender, Flynn Perez, will become Shinboner #1027 when he makes his debut against Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

Perez, who turned 19 last week, becomes North Melbourne’s fourth debutant this season, following Jack Mahony, Tristan Xerri and Lachie Hosie. 

“It’s been a huge journey. I’ve been building my fitness and form over the last month, and I’m really stoked,” he told North Media. 

“I’ve done a lot of work with the defenders so I’m hoping that puts me in good stead, and we’ll see how I go.” 

Perez was selected with pick 35 in the 2019 Draft, coming off a serious knee injury at the end of 2018 which sidelined him for the past year and a half. 

A rebounding defender or outside midfielder, Perez has speed, poise with ball in hand, and the ability to use both sides of his body. 

The number 39 has been building his match fitness in scratch matches in recent weeks, and now gets his chance at AFL level. 

And it doesn’t get much tougher than making your debut against the team sitting on top of the table. 

“It’s a great thing,” he said about playing against the Power.

“For myself and for the boys, we want to play the best and it will be a really good indicator of where we’re at.”