Murphy Reid says it will be a “dream come true” when he makes his AFL debut in Fremantle’s season opener, with the Dockers confirming their top pick from last year’s draft will be unleashed against Geelong.

Reid has been rewarded for an impressive pre-season after being taken with Freo’s first selection and No.17 overall last spring, with the Sandringham product showing promising signs in a forward-midfield role.

The Dockers have lauded Reid’s composure in traffic and ability to set his teammates into space with handballs, with the 18-year-old particularly catching the eye in the club’s final pre-season hit-out against Melbourne.

Reid will join Andrew Brayshaw (2018) as the only top Dockers draft pick in the past 13 years to play at the earliest chance in the club’s season opener the following year.

“I can’t really explain how I’m feeling right now, it’s very surreal. A dream come true,” Reid said.

“I’m so lucky to be at such a great club and to be able to (debut) and being able to do it in Melbourne with so many friends and family who will be able to come down and support me in Geelong, it’s a surreal feeling.”

Reid will follow in the footsteps of coach Justin Longmuir, who similarly made his AFL debut for the Dockers as an 18-year-old against the Cats in Geelong in 1999.

“JL has been great; he’s been really good for me,” Reid said.

“Every time we speak, he’s been really constructive.

“He’s been great in giving me feedback and telling me to play to my strengths… to know that he backs me in like that, hopefully I can bring that on the weekend.

“Just being able to play with confidence (is important). I think one of my strengths is composure, also being clean with it, so bringing that and just sort of thinking of it as another game and not getting wound up with all the debut stuff.”

Longmuir praised Murphy for having “grown all pre-season” amid revealing to the teenager that he had been picked.

“In the pre-season games, your strengths have really come to the fore,” the coach said.

“You understand what you need to work on. You’ve really gone to school on that.

“I’ve loved seeing your development so far, mate. You’ve really earned your opportunity.”

The Dockers will unveil the rest of their travelling squad later on Thursday, with the club flying out of Perth early in the afternoon, before the final team reveal.

All eyes will be on Shai Bolton, with the recruit considered unlikely to be risked after an unconvincing training session on Wednesday in his bid to be passed fit as he battles a stress-related leg injury.

Veteran Michael Walters is also under a cloud, while the make-up of Freo’s ruck division remains unclear.