Brayden Maynard, the youngest player on Collingwood's 45-man list, will make his league debut against Hawthorn on Friday night.

Selected at No. 30 in the 2014 National Draft, Maynard impressed in last weekend's two-point win over Box Hill, collecting 24 disposals and 8 marks.

A self-professed “competitive beast”, the half back flanker is renowned for his powerful and polished left foot. In his first VFL game, Maynard had 15 touches, six tackles and four rebound 50s.

VIDEO: Team Sheet interviews Darcy Moore and reflects on Brayden Maynard's rise.

Maynard represented Vic Metro at the 2014 Under 18 National Championships, averaging 15 disposals, 5 tackles and a goal throughout the carnival.

He has since averaged 13 disposals a game, maintaining consistent form despite his shifting commitments as an emergency for the senior side.

Maynard spoke to Collingwood Media after last Saturday's VFL victory, discussing his experiences as an AFL emergency and his role in Dale Tapping's VFL side.

"Being an emergency in the AFL, then having to toss up how to play in the VFL can be hard, as sometimes I’ll be away, like I was during the week, so I didn’t get to learn much about Box Hill."

The young defender was named as the emergency for the Magpies' clash with Gold Coast in Queensland earlier this year, as well as for last weeks clash with Fremantle in Perth.

“Playing AFL is what I want to do, so being an emergency is one step closer.”

Travelling with the senior team has its benefits; Maynard is always looking to learn from his teammates.

"It’s good to get to know what they (the team) do when they travel away… I get to go in the rooms and see what the boys do before the games."

Maynard has quickly settled into life at the Westpac Centre since being drafted at the end of last year.

"During the week I love it, it’s good to be around the boys, they make me feel comfortable."