FOOTBALL manager Mark Evans says the club wants young gun Xavier Ellis simply to taste life as an AFL player rather than burden him with any great expectations as he makes his debut against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

Ellis, the third player selected in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft, suffered a broken foot and was restricted by school commitments last year, but the exciting midfielder/half-back is set to be unleashed on Saturday night.

"I just hope for his sake, he can kick-start his career with a good spread of games," Evans told hawthornfc.com.au.

"We know that he's going to have a terrific future for the club.

"He really had a chance to establish a base of fitness last year because he was playing school football, so we've really extended his pre-season out, so he's ready and raring to go.

"He's been impressive across the NAB campaign with good skills and good running, but we don't have any great expectations for him on Saturday other than to get out and play his part and get a taste of senior football."

Evans said Ellis had a hamstring problem before Christmas but quickly recovered to have a strong pre-season.

"He had it at the right time and it came a week before Christmas and then they had 10 days off, but by the time he came back to the club, he was pretty much right to go," Evans said.