Jack Peris will make his AFL debut against Gold Coast this weekend, writing his name into club history as the 32nd Indigenous player to represent the red, white and black at senior level.
The lightning-quick small forward was told the news after this morning’s main training session by Head of Development and Learning, Damian Carroll, who revealed the No. 45 would be making the trip up to the Sunshine State.
Peris joined St Kilda as a Category B Rookie via the 2021 Rookie Draft, coming through the club's Next Generation Academy alongside current players Marcus Windhager and Mitch Owens. He was also a recipient of the club's AMC Indigenous Scholarship program prior to his arrival at RSEA Park.
The son of Olympic Gold Medallist Nova Peris and Australian sprinter Daniel Batman, Peris himself boasts terrific running power and speed which have been on full display during his time building his game for VFL affiliate, Sandringham.
St Kilda's newest speedster has spent his first season-and-a-half developing his craft at the Zebras, having been named on the emergencies list twice in the past fortnight in recognition of his form before earning his shot this week. He was also named as an emergency for Rounds 2 and 4 against the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast respectively.
Peris will be the 1639th player to represent the club at AFL level and the third debutant of the season following Mattaes Phillipou and Anthony Caminiti.
