JUST 16 days on from joining the AFL world, mid-season draftees Lukas Cooke and Joel Fitzgerald will make their debut against Essendon on Saturday.

Cooke’s debut comes after a dominant display in the VFL, patrolling Casey’s backline with 32 disposals, 13 intercepts and 11 marks.

While Cooke has spent time playing across multiple positions, he flourished as a defender in the SANFL, averaging 18 disposals and eight marks prior to being drafted.

The tall defender arrived at Melbourne following five years building his craft playing for the Woodville-West Torrens Eagles.

Similarly, Fitzgerald enters Melbourne’s 23 after back-to-back standout performances for Casey, averaging 36 disposals across the two games.

The 22-year-old joined the club after a number of years playing in the VFL for both Essendon and Williamstown.

Formerly a defender, Fitzgerald put his name on the map this season after a move to the midfield proved to be the difference for his footy.