The problem with making your AFL debut as a rookie-listed player is that it usually depends on a team-mate's injury misfortune.

But given the setbacks that Michael Evans has overcome, he has earned the milestone more than most.

The 18-year-old will be among five inclusions for Melbourne's game on Saturday against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

The Demons recruited him from WA side Claremont through this year's rookie draft.

He was elevated to the senior list in place of injured ruckman Jake Spencer, who will miss the rest of the season.

"Being a rookie, there's obviously a bit of uncertainty in your future," Evans said.

"It's an awkward position to be put in, where you're only getting a game if someone is getting injured, I suppose.

"I went up for Jake Spencer, who was once a rookie - that made it a bit easier."

Evans knows far more about injuries than he would like.

Two years ago, he broke his leg badly in the last few minutes of a junior-grade grand final in Perth, which his team lost by a point.

"It was a dark day, that's for sure," Evans said on Friday.

Last year he also battled with a hip injury.

"Certainly my under-age footy was hampered, but since I've been here, the physios and medical staff have been pretty good to me," Evans added.

Evans has shown strong form in the VFL as a clearance midfielder, but thought team-mate Jordie McKenzie would earn a promotion before him.

As it happened, the duo have come into the senior side at the same time.

"Jordie played a really good game last week and I was probably surprised we both squeezed into the side," he said.

"But I'm certainly going to grab it with both hands.

"It's something you've been working towards your entire life, so to finally get the opportunity, I can't wait."

When Evans came across from Perth, he was hoping to leave behind the nickname his mother first gave him.

But fellow Demon Cale Morton went to the same school as Evans.

So coach Dean Bailey introduced Evans to the media on Friday as "Pickles".

"Coming over here, I thought I'd lose it," Evans said with a grin.

"I don't mind it, I'm happy to go with it."

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