CARLTON will blood its seventh club debutant of the season on King’s Birthday Eve, with young ruck/forward Hudson O’Keeffe to play his first senior game.

Confirmed in front of the playing group this morning, O’Keeffe has been included into the team after steady progression for the Carlton Reserves over the last three seasons.

A presentation was made in the players’ locker room by AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss, who pointed to a picture of O’Keeffe’s lock screen: a photo of the MCG under lights, which he said he wouldn’t change until he got the chance to run out on the hallowed turf.

“You can change it on Monday morning,” Voss confirmed.

02:30

Access: Debut incoming! O'Keeffe gets the great news

Hudson O'Keeffe received the good news that he would be debuting in Sunday night's King's Birthday Eve clash.

Watch the announcement via the player above.

"You've worked really hard. The thing we love about you the most is it's not about the kicks, marks and handballs - it's going to be about how you compete. That's your real strength - these guys will love playing with you over a long period of time, I know it.

"They're going to be talking about how you compete, how you protect people... congratulations mate, you're going to live out your dream."

Recruited as a supplementary selection period signing on the eve of the 2023 campaign, O’Keeffe has played 32 games with the VFL Blues since then, honing his craft as both an emerging ruck as well as a key forward option.

His development has been evident in 2025, kicking eight goals from seven games for the Carlton Reserves so far this season while also working closely in tandem with Marc Pittonet in the ruck.

02:35

Highlights | O'Keeffe's best ahead of AFL debut

Watch the best of Hudson O'Keeffe before his debut game this Sunday.

O’Keeffe comes into the side in place of Harry McKay, who will miss the game due to knee soreness as confirmed earlier on Saturday morning.

The 20-year-old’s best showing of the season came against Coburg in Round 6, kicking three goals while hauling in six marks (three of those contested), while producing 17 disposals against Sydney and kicking two goals against Williamstown in the fortnight prior to the bye.

A natural competitor, O’Keeffe is highly regarded for his physicality and professionalism, with Sunday night seeing him officially become Carlton player No.1248 - in front of 80,000 people, no less.

He will be the Blues’ fifth AFL debutant of the season and will wear the No.40 jumper.