An emotional Luke Beveridge has detailed just how far Buku Khamis has come over his three years as a Western Bulldogs player.

Khamis, a 21-year-old defender, will make his AFL debut this weekend against Carlton.

But the odds of that happening were, in Beveridge’s words, at one point ‘a million to one’ and then ‘two million to one’.

Khamis and his family made their way to Australia in 2006, originally from South Sudan and via a Kenyan refugee camp.

“A couple of years ago when you became an Australian citizen… you were a million to one to play your first game back then,” Beveridge told Khamis in front of the Bulldogs’ playing group.

“Then when we came back from the hiatus when we got stood down and you came back and we had that first session here… you were two million to one to make your debut.

“You were a bit behind mate, you probably weren’t really getting it.

“For you to be able to do what you’ve done…”

Khamis has excelled at VFL level this season to force his way into the Bulldogs’ senior team.

His football story is one of persistence, and Beveridge now sees the light at the tunnel and couldn’t be happier the Bulldogs persevered with the Category B rookie as he developed in his own time.

“Even when I sat down with you and (list manager) Sam (Power) last year and we talked about your future and what it was going to take to get there, we hadn’t given up on you and you’ve taught us all a lesson,” Beveridge said.

“You’ve got to keep investing in your people and see it through.

“We’re looking forward to seeing you run out there. You’re going to enjoy it and you’re going to do well.”