Western Bulldogs defender Buku Khamis will make his AFL debut against Carlton on Sunday afternoon.

The 21-year-old will get his chance in his third season on the Bulldogs’ list.

It marks the next step in his already incredible journey.

Khamis – a refugee from South Sudan who spent time in a refugee camp in Kenya – came to Australia in 2006 with his family.

A latecomer to Australian Rules football, he started playing the game in his last year of primary school and was involved with the Bulldogs long before being added to the AFL list.

Khamis was part of the WB Community Foundation’s Ready Settle Go program and was the club’s first recruit from its Next Generation Academy.

The athletic defender’s football skills have been developed in Melbourne’s western suburbs, firstly with the St Albans Football Club before coming through the Western Jets’ NAB League program.

He has been one of Footscray’s standout performers in the opening three weeks of the 2021 VFL season.

Khamis has averaged 17.7 disposals and 10 marks per game this year, with his foot skills, ability to take the game on and his intercept ability all features of his play. 

He will become the Bulldogs’ fourth AFL debutant this year - following in the footsteps of Anthony Scott, Lachie McNeil and Jordon Sweet.