SELECTION No. 104 at a NAB AFL Draft doesn't often see AFL action in his first year, but Tom Young delighted Pies' fans in his debut match against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.

Young, who came to the club via the now defunct NSW AFL scholarship scheme, was elevated to the primary list at last year's national draft in the sixth round after an excellent season for the Magpies' VFL team that saw him win the best-and-fairest.

He amassed 23 possessions and kicked two goals off a half-back flank in an AFL debut that was nearly snatched away from him before he even pulled on the black-and-white guernsey.

"I was actually reported in the VFL last week [for rough conduct on Bendigo's Henry Slattery]," Young said.

"Mick [Malthouse] came to me and said that if I got off or got a reprimand he'll play me. So we went to the tribunal, I got a reprimand and Mick told me I was in before the Wednesday team meeting.

"In the space of 48 hours there were some real highs and lows, that's for sure.

"It was obviously great and really good to get a win. It was just amazing to get to play in this great team."

The 19-year-old's two goals also provided a tale of contrasting fortunes. One was a clinical set shot from 50 after he received a 50m penalty and the other brought a slightly embarrassed smile to his face as he high-fived teammates.  

"I don't know what happened," he said shaking his head.

"I dropped the ball all wrong and it didn't come off the boot right. It came off as a torp and I was lucky enough it bent back for me."

Young agreed breaking into the team two weeks out from a finals campaign was pretty decent timing, but he was realistic about his chances of maintaining his spot.

"I want to stay in the team, but there are a lot of talented blokes who missed out tonight like Ben Johnson and Leon Davis to come back through that back line," he said.

"It will be pretty tough."