Changkuoth Jiath will make his AFL debut for Hawthorn when his side takes on the fifth-placed GWS Giants under lights at UNSW Canberra Stadium on Friday.

The 20-year-old defender spent the majority of 2018 sidelined by a groin injury before turning heads with his versatility and running power in the back half of the season.

Jiath will play an important role in filling the void left by injured star Grant Birchall (hamstring), as Hawthorn, currently 12th, must defeat GWS to remain a mathematical chance of playing finals.

“I’m a bit rattled at the moment,” he told the club’s website.

“It feels like I’m day dreaming. I’m just trying to soak it all in.

“I kind of had a little inkling that I might debut sometime soon, but I wasn’t rushed. I was trying to be patient, and I was willing to take as long as needed to develop my game and confidence.”

Jiath joined the Hawks via the 2017 Rookie Draft after developing through the club’s Next Generation Academy.

He finished 2018 with a VFL premiership for Box Hill alongside up-and-coming Hawks Conor Glass and Mitchell Lewis.

But Hawthorn fans will have another reason to look forward to Friday night’s clash with former Crow Ricky Henderson celebrating his 150th milestone game.