The Bulldogs’ side will feature Thomas Wood and Nicholas Doolan on debut, as well as a host of other players such as James Fraser, Lachlan O'Gorman, Patrick Trotta, Shannon Rooth and Liam Rodgers in the early throes of their senior careers, with the bulk of the team aged 21 or under.

"It's a bit hard to know what to expect on Friday... these young players could all come out and play to their absolute potential and I'd be confident we would get over Kyneton," Sharp said.

"But if the young players turn up, get overawed by the occasion, start doubting themselves and Kyneton all of a sudden gets on top and builds some momentum... how do players with one to four games experience handle that?

"I can't answer that. It's an unknown when we're talking about young players, but at the same time, they've got some extremely good players around them who will, hopefully, guide them through it and keep their confidence up. You only need one leader on each line to guide young players."

Among those leaders is 2012 Michelsen medallist Scott Walsh, who after being hampered by injury the past two years, Sharp is confident the midfielder will be back to his best this season.