Collingwood forward Kayle Kirby is in the mix to make his AFL debut this week

KAYLE Kirby was at a pub on draft night and wandered over to the pokies to find his family when the Magpies called his name. Now he is close to an AFL debut.

Kayle Kirby celebrates a goal for Collingwood. Picture: Michael Klein

UNHERALDED Collingwood forward Kayle Kirby has been backed to make an accelerated debut after starring with six goals in the VFL on Sunday.
Kirby’s breakout performance has taken his tally to 16 majors in the past five games with Magpie supporters urged to track the teen excitement machine even if he isn’t selected for Queen’s Birthday.

Kirby arrived at the Pies requiring a heavy lift in fitness and while Callum Brown is considered more likely to breakthrough next week, Kirby has been likened to a combination of Byron Pickett and Cyril Rioli.

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“I’m not saying he’s ever going to be of that standard (Rioli and Pickett), but he’s certainly got the talent to go a long way,” former TAC Cup coach Brett Henderson said.

“He can tip a game on its head pretty quickly and he could be a really exciting player for Collingwood.”

Kayle Kirby has been a star in the VFL for Collingwood. Picture: Michael Klein

Kirby was at the pub on draft night and wandered over to the pokies to find his family when the Magpies called his name at pick No. 50.

Fitness has long been Kirby’s challenge, but Henderson said he was continually looking in better shape and a blockbuster debut would suit the teenager.

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all (if he’s discussed at selection this week),” he said.

“Kayle would cope with it really well — the bigger the game, the better he plays.

“He’s a boy from Lake Boga who was living with really supportive foster parents, holding a job with a local builder and travelling down to (Bendigo) Pioneers training once a week by train.

“Living away from home, trying to eat the right foods and things like that was a bit of a challenge — but he’s doing really well now.

“He made some really big sacrifices and I can’t speak highly enough about him.”

The 182cm, 89kg forward booted nine goals from two games for Richmond’s VFL side last year as his draft stocks soared.

Kirby swung one of those games the Tigers’ way with a quick burst of three goals and recruiters believe if he can adapt to a fulltime professional environment he could be anything.

The Pies are the only club yet to debut a player this season.