AFTER two and a half years on the St Kilda rookie list, Tom Curren will make his AFL debut against Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

Curren was elevated to the St Kilda senior list on Thursday, replacing Sam Fisher who has been ruled out for the season with a foot injury.

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The 20-year-old has had a solid season with Sandringham in the VFL, with his high work rate and ability to win the ball standing out.

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Curren won the Zebras’ best and fairest last season and played nine senior VFL games in 2011 after he was taken with pick 24 in the 2011 Rookie Draft.

Curren came to the Saints via TAC Cup team Dandenong Stingrays and Mt Eliza – the same junior club that produced former St Kilda captain Stewart Loewe.

Despite not playing a senior AFL match until now, Curren has impressed key people at the Saints, evidenced by his induction into the Emerging Leaders Group at the beginning of 2013.

A Frankston local, Curren is one of several current players to come from the area surrounding St Kilda’s Linen House Centre.

He will become the 1561^st player to represent St Kilda at VFL/AFL level.

St Kilda Head Coach Scott Watters said Curren’s senior debut was a reward for his persistence.

“As a third-year rookie he has worked extremely hard on improving and developing his game,” Watters told saints.com.au.

“To get this opportunity on the back of his preparation and his thorough approach to becoming a good player is a really good example to the whole group. We have no doubt he’ll work as hard at his opportunities on the field as he has over three years.”

Curren said he was thrilled to hear the news that he had been selected for his debut match.

“It was really good to get an opportunity and hopefully I can make the most of it and try to play a few games consistently and hopefully cement my spot in the side,” Curren said.

“I just want to play my role and earn the respect from the other boys who have already been playing. If I can do that and earn that respect, that is all I can hope for.”