North Melbourne mid-year draftee Robert Hansen Jr earns senior debut at home in the west

Jarred Cross Published July 28, 2023 at 5.00pm (AWST)

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Robert Hansen Jr will make his AFL debut against West Coast on Sunday. (Image: North Melbourne FC Facebook)

When mid-season recruit Robert Hansen Jr gets on the park in Western Australia on Sunday, it won't be in the maroon and gold of Subiaco he donned to begin the year.

The 19-year-old will make his AFL debut for North Melbourne against West Coast after a string of strong performances in the Kangaroos' VFL outfit.

Originally out of Kalgoorlie, Hansen Jr arrived at the Roos with the second pick of the league's mid-season Rookie Draft in May after an impressive start to WAFL football with the Lions.

In the weeks since he's impressed plenty at Arden St.

North VFL coach and development coach Tom Lynch sees a ready-made senior footballer.

"Since Robbie joined the club, he has brought a real excitement to our group with not only his skills and attributes but also his character," Lynch said.

"He has shown a real appetite to learn how we are looking to play and how he can improve his individual game.

"From the five games he has now played in our reserves side, he has displayed a great workrate and selfless behaviour, often bringing teammates into the game."

Hansen has kicked seven goals in his five VFL games with the club.

Robert's having an impact 🧨#Kangas pic.twitter.com/NPSWquooZW
— North Melbourne Reserves (@NMFCReserves) July 10, 2023

His elevation to the senior 22 was confirmed on Friday afternoon ahead of the club boarding their flight west.

"You can tell mum and dad everyone they don't have to travel too far," North interim coach Brett Ratten joked with Hansen Jr.

"To bring your skills to the group this week will be really important. You've showed that at VFL level and also at training…start of a long journey."

Hansen Jr earned a spot on North's list after impressing from early-on with WAFL side Subiaco. (Image: Subiaco Football Club Inc. Facebook)

Club co-captain Jy Simpkin also returns to face the Eagles after a short stint on the sidelines per concussion protocols.

North welcome back a handful of inclusions for the chance to snap a 16-game winless patch and notch their third victory for the season, and second of West Coast, in round 20.

Senior coach Alastair Clarkson is set to return to his role next week after stepping away under the stress of the Hawthorn racism investigations in May.