Hall's incredible jump into AFL

JOSH Hall could have been finalising his preparations for the London Olympics this weekend.

JOSH Hall could have been finalising his preparations for the London Olympics this weekend.

But after a whirlwind 12 months, the one-time high jumper will be making his senior AFL debut instead.

The 22-year-old will tonight be named in the Gold Coast side for Saturday's clash against Richmond in Cairns.The first AFL match Hall saw live was the corresponding fixture last year when the Suns upset the Tigers at Cazaly's Stadium.

Hall, who is 197cm tall and weighs 84kg, hails from Townsville and his selection was sealed yesterday with a handshake from Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna at Metricon Stadium.

Taken at No.94 in this year's rookie draft, he attended training at the Curra Swans club in Townsville last year as part of practical work for his sports science degree at James Cook University.

After being spotted by development officers, he was fast-tracked into the Suns Academy and his form in the NEAFL has earned him a call-up to the big time.

AFL's gain is athletics' loss because Hall won a bronze medal at the 2007 world junior championships.

"(Making his debut) hasn't sunk in yet," Hall said. "It is something I've been dreaming about for a month or so."