Young midfielder Tom Mitchell is looking forward to continuing to feed off some of competition’s elite midfielders when he lines up against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.

It will be Mitchell’s first game at senior level this season, earning the call up following a string of impressive performances in the opening three rounds of the NEAFL competition.

The 21-year-old will join a midfield group boasting Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh and Luke Parker against the Bulldogs.

“It is always a great experience to be able to run out with those guys and continue to learn off them because obviously they are some of the best midfielders in the competition,” Mitchell said.

“I love playing with them and learning every bit that I can off them.”

It was an uninterrupted pre-season campaign for Mitchell who has played 20 games since his debut in 2013.

“The main focus going into the pre-season was to complete as many sessions as I could and to be as fit as I can, I was able to do that which was a positive for me,” he said.

“I tried to take that fitness into games, play some good footy in the NEAFL.

“It is obviously the first game of the season for me in the seniors so I am really excited to get out there with the boys and get a win this weekend.”

There has been strong competition for positions in the senior side given the dwindling injury list and a number of strong performances in the NEAFL.

Mitchell is well aware of the challenge ahead of him to make the most of the opportunity.

“The strength of the list is really strong at the moment and there is a lot of guys that are missing out that can play quality senior football,” he said.

“It is a good sign for the footy club that there are a lot of guys that will be able to fill positions for the team.”

Veteran Adam Goodes and lively forward Dean Towers have also been named to return to the senior side to take on the Bulldogs at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.