West Coast mid-season draftee Marcus Herbert will make his debut only 19 days after landing at the Eagles on a six-month contract.

Herbert has been named to take on North Melbourne at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon on the back of strong form for Geelong’s VFL side and two games for the Eagles in the WAFL.

The 23-year-old defender was recruited by the Eagles with pick No.13 in the mid-season rookie draft late last month after several strong seasons at the Cats.

Herbert took an incredible punt to realise his AFL dream, moving from Warrnambool in country Victoria on only a six-month contract to Perth to try to get a future contract.

The classy defender instantly impressed, racking up 23 disposals on WAFL debut for West Coast in a loss to Peel Thunder, before being heavily tagged in their win against Claremont at the weekend.

Asked about if Herbert and fellow mid-season draftee Oliver Francou were ready for AFL, coach Andrew McQualter said: “They’ve come in and really impressed us in the first few weeks.

“We drafted them for a reason. We thought they could play AFL football and they’ve started at our club really well.

“Marcus is 23 years old, has been in a great system at Geelong VFL for a long period of time.”

Herbert said his debut was “unexpected” but he was keen to run out against the Kangaroos.

“It’s been a whirlwind, only two weeks ago I was ready to go to footy training at Geelong VFL,” he said.

“To hear my name get called out (in the mid-season rookie draft ) is pretty special.

“Two weeks in and getting my debut, a bit unexpected but super keen.”

West Coast are set to make at least two changes, with No.1 defender Reuben Ginbey to miss the next few months after he tore his quad in the loss to Port Adelaide, while last year’s top mid-season draftee Tom McCarthy is battling a minor hamstring concern.