THE Bendigo Pioneers club champion of 2006, Jarryn Geary will mark his AFL debut for St Kilda in tonight’s first-round clash with the Sydney Swans at Telstra Dome.Elevated from the Saints rookie list in the 2007 AFL national draft, Geary played in this summer’s NAB Cup premiership victory.The 19-year-old from Eaglehawk will become the 34th draftee from the Bendigo Pioneers to play in the AFL.Now in their 15th year, the Pioneers have had 45 players drafted to AFL clubs and there are 24 Pioneers draftees on this year’s AFL lists.Pioneers coach Mark Ellis was rapt with Geary’s selection for his AFL debut with the Saints.‘‘It’s terrific news for Jarryn, his family, friends, and the football clubs he has played at,’’ Ellis said.A long-time coach, previously as Sandhurst and South Bendigo before he joined the Pioneers, Ellis said Geary was one of the hardest-working players he had seen.‘‘In Jarryn’s first year with the club as a bottom-age player he just wanted to learn as much as he could and improve as much as he could,’’ Ellis said.‘‘He had an ambition to play AFL and was prepared to do anything he could to make it.‘‘Jarryn was a sponge in absorbing ways to improve his game, and also to be a better team player.‘‘He has worked extremely hard to make it. When he first arrived at the Pioneers, Jarryn was a skinny kid, with heaps of courage and a lot of skill.‘‘What impressed me and the other coaches was how unselfish he was. It’s all about team with Jarryn.’’ The Geary family has a strong link to the Pioneers, as brothers Daniel, Shannon, Jarryn, and now Kallen have all lined up for the club in the TAC Cup under-18s action.Ellis said Jarryn Geary’s run to his AFL debut was not an easy one.‘‘Jarryn was unlucky not to be drafted in 2006,’’ Ellis said of Geary’s year that included winning the Neville Strauch memorial trophy as club champion, and also being captain. ‘‘The Saints gave Jarryn a chance on the rookie list and he has kept working hard.’’ Geary was one of the Casey Scorpions most consistent players in last season’s run to the VFL finals.Geary is one of four Saints who will mark their senior debut for the club in tonight’s clash.The others are Geelong’s premiership-winning ruckman Steven King, former West Coast Eagles ruckman Michael Gardiner and Geelong forward Charlie Gardiner.The Saints’ line-up also includes midfielder Nick Dal Santo, another Pioneers draftee who has kicked on to play 120 matches for the club.