Fremantle are set to unleash their second debutant of the season in their final match of the home-and-away fixture, with 2025 draftee Toby Murray set to make his AFL bow.

21 year-old Murray was scooped up by the Dockers with pick 40 in last year’s draft and is set to realise a dream come true when he takes to the field against Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

Murray had toiled away in the VFL after twice missing out on being drafted and was working part-time at a primary school as an education support teacher and studying business on the side before Fremantle drafted him last year.

The small forward has had a strong WAFL season for Peel, with the small forward bagging 21 goals in 14 games and multiple majors in his last five consecutive games.

Having travelled with the squad as an emergency for their last trip to Melbourne two weeks ago, Murray will now join Chris Scerri as Fremantle players to have debuted in 2026.

He will be just the 31st player Fremantle have used this season, which remains a league low. Geelong is the next-closest side with 32.

Murray said he was delighted to have finally fulfilled his elongated journey to the AFL.

“My journey started a bit later than normal, missing out on a couple of drafts, but I just really leaned into wanting to make my dream come true, and that taught me how to work really hard,” he said.

“Getting drafted is awesome, but it’s just the first step in the door, and my mindset was always to come in and work twice as hard and have that dream stay there for a while.

“It’s been a bit of a roller coaster of emotions, but I’m grateful for everything.

“I’ve worked hard for it, and I wouldn’t take anything back because it will make me a better person and footballer in the future.”

Murray said working alongside Fremantle’s fellow small forwards had been an important experience.

“Michael Frederick I’ve leaned on really closely. I’m close with him outside and inside the club, but also some of the younger boys that I was drafted with,” he said.

“Adam Sweid and Chris Scerri, these boys, when you’re drafted together, it’s pretty special and you sort of experience everything together.

“There’s also Isaiah Dudley I’m close with as well, and these senior boys that are playing heaps of football, it’s good to lean on them.

“Chris Mayne, my development coach, has been unreal for me — getting me ready for the opportunity when it comes.”