The Sydney Swans will blood a third debutant of the season with exciting young forward Elijah Taylor to play against Gold Coast at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.

Selected with pick 36 in the National Draft, Taylor is a lively forward prospect who kicked four goals in the Swans recent scrimmage with Melbourne.

Taylor was overwhelmed when he learnt the news at training on Thursday.

“It was sort of surreal, like I didn’t really believe it so it’s a good feeling,” Taylor said.

The 19-year-old lived with star forward Lance Franklin when he first moved to Sydney and has praised the guidance shown in his first few weeks in a new city.

“Bud has been pretty huge for me,” Taylor said.

“Living with him for the first month or so to see how he went about it and how professional he was opened my eyes to the way AFL footy is.”

Assistant coach Steve Johnson said fans would enjoy watching Taylor play.

“He has got a lot of talent and we are really pleased that he has progressed well enough in the reserves to get his chance in the seniors,”

“He has always been a livewire forward pocket player who is handy around the goals.”

“He is pretty talented with his ability to kick on his left and right foot and he can also get up there and take a grab.”

Taylor joins Chad Warner and Dylan Stephens in making their AFL debuts for the Club this season.