Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton expects Richmond to try and rough him up on debut this weekend, but is looking forward to that challenge.

The 197cm 19-year-old key forward had the start of his AFL career delayed by knee surgery in Sweden last January.

After four games in the reserves, Patton will make his first senior appearance in Saturday’s Sydney Showground Stadium clash with the Tigers.

“Of course they are always going to rough up the new kid on the block,” Patton told reporters on Wednesday.

“I’m looking forward to that and looking forward to the challenge and I’m sure we’ll go alright.”

He wasn’t fussed about racking up stats.

“I’m not worried about how many kicks or goals or marks I get, I just want to go out there and have a bit of a run around and get a bit of a taste of AFL footy,” Patton said.

While frustrated by the long wait to make his debut he was excited and nervous at the chance to fulfil his dream of becoming an AFL player.

He felt his injury and being based in Sydney had helped him avoid the intense scrutiny a No.1 draft pick normally endured.

Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy said he expected an exciting game from Patton, who will potentially form part of a three-headed forward line that lives up the club’s name, with 196cm Jeremy Cameron and 193cm rugby league convert Israel Folau also in line to play on the weekend.