Flynn Perez's hard work to return from a knee reconstruction has paid off after he was selected to make his AFL debut.
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Perez's first game for North Melbourne will be against ladder leader Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
The former Sandhurst and Bendigo Pioneers defender/midfielder was told of his selection at training on Thursday.
"It's been a huge journey. I've been building my fitness and form over the last month, and I'm really stoked," Perez told nmfc.com.au.
"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."
Read more: Flynn Perez's pathway to the AFL
A state soccer representative as a junior, the immensely talented Perez was part of the AFL Academy as a 17-year-old before a serious knee injury at the end of 2018 forced him to miss his entire top-age season with the Pioneers.
The knee injury didn't quell the Roos' interest in the silky-skilled Perez and they pounsed with selection 35 in last year's National Draft.
Perez will become the fourth player with Bendigo links to make his AFL debut this year.
Perez's Pioneers' team-mate Thomson Dow has played the past two games with Richmond.
Former South Bendigo ruckman Kieran Strachan made his debut with the Adelaide Crows, while former Bendigo Gold forward Jake Aarts made his debut with Richmond in round five and has played every game since.
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