Jack Peris, son of Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris, will make his AFL debut on Saturday, St Kilda have confirmed.
His surname already boats gold medals in both field hockey and athletics at both the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, with elite football soon to be added when the Saints travel north to face Gold Coast in round 18.
Following St Kilda's tight win over West Coast in round 17, coach Ross Lyon flagged that the 19-year-old was "in the mix" to debut the following week.
On Thursday the club confirmed his name in the 22 to face the Suns.
"I knew she'd be emotional," Peris said after his mum became teary-eyed on receiving the news.
"We'll have to can those plans (of Nova Peris going to Darwin this weekend) because I'm playing in the Gold Coast this week," he said.
On revealing the news, St Kilda head of development Damian Carroll said he expects Peris to bring his reputation of pace and pressure to the side.
Peris arrived at Moorabbin after being taken by the club in the 2021 rookie draft.
His selection comes after being named as an emergency twice in 2023, and impressive performances with the Saints' VFL affiliate Sandringham.
