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IT has taken a while for Jake Spencer to get his head around his impending AFL debut.

But when the teenager took his place in the Melbourne Demons' team photo and looked around the MCG yesterday, the reality he is headed for the big time finally hit home.

Spencer will become the first Townsville product to play in the AFL tomorrow afternoon when he runs out for the Demons against North Melbourne at the game's spiritual home.

After a series of solid performances in the pre-season, coach Dean Bailey handed him lead ruckman duties, picking him ahead of former Adelaide Crow John Meesen.

Spencer initially thought he had missed out, looking for his place on the reserves bench before being told to look closer to the middle of the team list.

"I was speechless, I didn't really know how to take it – it was a bit surreal to see your name up in the team for round one," the 203cm 19-year-old said yesterday.

"I don't think it's really sunk in yet.

"We had the photo shoot on the `G' this morning and it's starting to sink in a little bit now. I'm pretty calm but I'm sure I'll be nervous come Sunday."

Spencer was elevated to the senior squad from the rookie list just two weeks ago. A long-term injury to Mark Jamar allowed him to be promoted almost half a season before he would have otherwise been expected, due to AFL regulations.

The rangy and hard-working ruckman said he was determined to make the most of his chance, while he is relishing the opportunity to start the game.

"You can get in the game straight away, especially being in that first bounce, you get your chance to get the first touch of the footy," Spencer said.

Spencer, who played in all four of Melbourne's pre-season games, will have parents Anne and Wayne in the stands, after they made the trip from Townsville to Melbourne.

Just to prove nearly everything is falling into place, Spencer said he could not have asked for a better match-up than coming up against Hamish McIntosh in a one-on-one contest.

"As luck would have it, we have to do projects on other ruckmen and (McIntosh) was my first player I did it on a couple of months ago, so I know a bit about him," he said.

The Demons' third rookie pick and 35th in the draft overall in 2007, Spencer started his path to the AFL as a Hermit Park Tiger before moving to Brisbane as a 17-year-old.

His former Tigers mentor Joe Hoolahan said Townsville AFL circles were buzzing.

"It's a massive accomplishment ... it's certainly given a few of the younger blokes around our club a bit of a buzz as well," he said. "I just can't wait to see him get into it, it's going to be a lot of pride from all the local guys watching him go."

The Demons-Kangaroos game will be broadcast on Fox Sports One from noon.

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