Werribee have named their 16th debutant of the 2026 season, with Nash King coming into the side as a late inclusion for Saturday’s clash against St Kilda.

The 20-year-old finally earns his opportunity in the black and gold after an outstanding first half of the season with his local club Wallan in the Riddell District Football Netball League.

It is reward for the young midfielder, who has also sacrificed several local matches throughout the season while serving as Werribee’s VFL warm-up player.

King comes into the side alongside Friday’s named omission Eli Pearce, with in-form key forward Brady Wright and winger Xavier Ivisic unable to prove their fitness for the clash at RSEA Park in Moorabbin.

Saturday will mark King’s Werribee debut, but not his first appearance at VFL level. The midfielder played three games for Carlton’s VFL program in 2025 as a 19-year-old.

He made his VFL debut in Round 12 against the Northern Bullants, kicking a goal with his first kick in the opening quarter before finishing with eight disposals and five marks.

King went on to play three VFL games for the Blues, ending the season with 11 disposals and five tackles against eventual premiers Footscray in Round 21 before making the move to Werribee ahead of 2026.

Prior to joining Carlton’s VFL program, King built an impressive junior career with the Calder Cannons in the Coates Talent League. Across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he played 12 games and averaged more than 22 disposals per game, establishing himself as a strong inside midfielder around the contest.

King also represented Vic Metro at the AFL Under-18 Championships across two seasons, including as a bottom-age player in 2023. Despite battling a hamstring injury during his top-age year, he finished the Coates Talent League season strongly, putting together four consecutive games of 30 or more disposals.

King has enjoyed an outstanding 2026 season with the Wallan Magpies, averaging 31.8 disposals, 8.4 score involvements, 6.5 inside 50s, 1.9 goal assists and 154.1 ranking points per game. Each of those averages ranks inside the top 10 across the Riddell FNL.

Earlier this season, King was recognised as one of the VFL’s most exciting emerging talents when he was selected in the VFL Young Guns squad. Alongside Eli Pearce, who made his Werribee debut against Carlton two weeks ago, King featured in the showcase match, which was played as the curtain-raiser to Werribee’s ANZAC Day clash with Williamstown at DSV Stadium.

His selection comes after another dominant performance for Wallan last weekend, collecting 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, nine clearances and a goal in a 65-point win over Gisborne as the Magpies improved to 11-0 and extended their lead at the top of the ladder.

Saturday’s clash against the Saints gets underway at 2:05pm at RSEA Park and will be streamed live on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.

MATCH DETAILS - ROUND 16
Werribee vs St Kilda
Saturday, July 11, 2:05pm
RSEA Park, Moorabbin

Round 16 Match Centre

Watch live on afl.com.au