THE HIGHLY anticipated debut of Collingwood youngster Matt Scharenberg will finally happen on Saturday at the MCG, after the late withdrawal of Tyson Goldsack.

The 2013 No.6 NAB AFL Draft pick will play his first AFL game against Melbourne after Goldsack injured his quad in the warm-up.

Scharenberg, a key position player who has been spending time at half-back in the VFL this season after overcoming a knee reconstruction, failed to debut in his first year at the Magpies after foot injuries.

Then he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the final game of last year, and returned in the VFL in round five.

Scharenberg's debut has similarities to the way 2014’s No.1 draft pick, Paddy McCartin, slid into St Kilda's team for his introduction to AFL in round three this season.

McCartin played his first game – incidentally against the Magpies – after Nick Riewoldt tweaked a calf in the warm up and withdrew an hour before the bounce.

Goldsack missed three games recently with a knee issue but returned last week against the Western Bulldogs.

The Pies have named Jamie Elliott as their starting substitute in the small forward's return game from a back injury.