Stagg is in first season in the AFL boundary umpiring squad and was rewarded for a strong pre-season.

The 26-year-old was told of his debut last week.

"We have three umpires that miss out each week and we had a full list to choose from,'' Stagg said.

"I wasn't sure if I'd get in for round one, so when my name was read out it was a good feeling.

"Getting my first game in round one had been a goal of mine."

Stagg will stride out on Marvel Stadium with empty grandstands behind him because of coronavirus measures.

"Just to make my AFL debut is something I've been aspiring to for a while,'' he said.

"It would have been nice to run out in front of family and friends, but at the same time I've run plenty of games at empty grounds before, so it's nothing different to me."

Stagg earned his debut after good performances in two Marsh Series matches.

The former White Hills cricketer officiated the St Kilda versus Hawthorn game at Moorabbin and the Essendon versus Geelong game at Colac.

"I thought I ran alright. Obviously, it's a big step up in quality, but I thought I'd had a good pre-season running wise,'' he said.

"Obviously they thought I was performing at a good enough level to get a round one gig."

After an injury interrupted 2019 pre-season, Stagg said he'd never been fitter heading into his AFL debut.

"I've been running personal best times in time-trials,'' Stagg said.

"We did a 5km time-trial and I ran 15.13, which I was pretty happy with. I didn't expect to run that sort of time."

Training has changed for the AFL boundary umpires because of coronavirus concerns.

"As of last Thursday we were told to train individually,'' Stagg said.

"For me, it's not too much of an issue. Pre-season I do a lot of stuff by myself anyway.

"Everyone is motivated to get the best out of themselves."