Eloise Chaston was on the receiving end of a dream phone call this week, while Eliza James heard the good news first from teammate Joanna Lin.

Both will make their AFLW debut in the black and white on Sunday.

For Chaston, this weekend's round one debut against Carlton is the culmination of a lifelong love of footy.

"Having three brothers and an avid football loving dad, I grew up doing Auskick and kicking the footy in the backyard," she said.

"It wasn’t until 2019 that I joined my first girls team at Donvale Football Club."

Late in the season the 19-year-old sustained an ankle injury that required surgery.

"The road to recovery seemed dauntingly long - after the surgery I had lost 95 percent of my range of motion," she said.

But the cancellation of the NAB League season in 2020 allowed Chaston the time to rehab her ankle good and proper.

"It was a blessing in disguise for me, it allowed me to really focus on building back my fitness, strength and confidence in my new ankle," she said.

"In 2021 I had the opportunity to co-captain the Eastern Ranges and play under the great Travis Cloke and at the end of the NAB League season I got another amazing opportunity to further develop my game by playing in the Hawthorn VFLW team.

"Over the past six months since I was selected to Collingwood I have just tried to be a sponge at every training and soak up the wealth of knowledge from coaches and other players."

It was Trav Cloke - who previously wore the number 32 guernsey Chaston now wears in his honour - who called her on team selection day.

"Having Trav be the one to tell me meant the world to me," she said.

"He has played such a huge role in my development over the past 18 months, not only as a footballer but also as a person.

"He taught me the value of mindfulness/mindset as an elite athlete and he has become a key mentor in my life and also a very amazing friend."

Meanwhie, James had no idea a recorded message to her former club (Oakleigh Chargers) was actually a ploy to get her in front of a camera for her real time reaction to the news.

"I was stitched up - I thought we were really sending a good luck message (to the Chargers)," James said.

"When I found out I was playing I was shocked and super excited.

"I started my footy journey back in Auskick and played local footy at St Peters Football Club in Bentleigh East."

James played three seasons with the Chargers in the NAB League, initially up forward and later shifting into the midfield.

"I'm very lucky that I haven't had to overcome any setbacks," she said.

"I've been grateful for every opportunity but especially to make my AFLW debut and represent Collingwood."

As for what they both hope to bring to the side?

"My speed, my ability and my forward half pressure," James said.

"I aim to bring excitement to the forward line, in both aspects of attacking the ball in offence and applying pressure in defence," Chaston said.

"Ultimately I’m just going out to play my role as a part of this great Collingwood team and enjoy what will be an amazing experience with a team that is like no other."