A new career will be launched in the yellow and black on Friday night when young key position prospect Cleve Hughes makes his debut for Richmond against Carlton at the MCG.

Hughes, the Tigers' second selection at last year's NAB AFL Draft - No.24 overall - was named the All-Australian centre half-forward after a sensational NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for South Australia.

Terry Wallace said the 19-year-old's performances for Coburg in the VFL warranted a senior call up.

"He's deserved his opportunity to play, he's had good form at VFL level," the Richmond coach said from Punt Road on Wednesday.

"I went and had a look at him play a couple of weeks ago against the Northern Bullants and he kicked four - probably could've kicked an extra couple in that particular game - and had a pretty fair game on the weekend again.

"I just think he's a class player - I'm hoping that he can show that at the next level - obviously it's a big step from playing VFL footy to AFL footy, but the expectations from us and the supporters won't be huge."

Hughes, who stands 193cm and tips the scales at 84kg, played on a forward flank and had spells at full-forward for the Tigers during the pre-season, and looks set to help provide cover for Nathan Brown who will be rested for the Blues clash.

The former Norwood player admitted he didn't expect to make his debut so soon, but was confident that he's ready for the challenge.

"I wasn't really hoping to get a game this early, I was just hoping to play a few this year. I've played on some pretty good players through the pre-season and at Coburg ... and gone OK," he said.

"It's against a traditional rival as well in Carlton and it's the biggest stage available, so I'm very happy to be given a go and hopefully I can do alright."

Hughes has ambitions to nail down a key position at some stage but is happy to provide a foil for more-seasoned forwards while he learns the ropes.

"I'd like to be a key position player in a few years time, I'll just have to wait for the body to grow out so I can play the centre half-forward role and get the motor a bit bigger than what it is at the moment," he said.

"(Matthew Richardson's) been giving me a fair bit of help over the pre-season like a few tips on how he gets around the ground and few things here and there - it's good learning from the best."

Wallace is happy to provide the youngster with an experience that he hopes will form the start of a long career.

"Call me a romantic, but I reckon there's something about the big stage and giving blokes an opportunity to have their first game in that sort of (environment)," he said.

"I think that's a fantastic thing, it's a lifetime memory and he deserves that chance."