CARLTON interim coach David Teague is backing in mid-season rookie recruit Josh Deluca for his debut against Gold Coast.

The 23-year-old comes into the senior side to replace the Paddy Dow, who will miss Saturday’s game through illness.

Deluca has been nothing short of impressive averaging 21 disposals and five tackles from his three games with the Northern Blues. 

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Teague announced the debut when speaking to media this morning, eager to see what the young midfielder can produce at senior level.

“Paddy Dow is not going to play this weekend, he’s ill so Josh Deluca is going to get a game tomorrow,” Teague said.

“That’s great for him to get an opportunity. When he first got picked up, he missed the first couple through a hamstring, but he’s a competitor.

“He competes really hard, he’s strong at the contest, some of his off the ball running that we saw from the behind the goals camera really impressed us.”

The Blues head into tomorrow’s clash with the opportunity to notch back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

For Teague, the focus this week will be continuing to implement the free-flowing and offensive style of the last month, while also ensuring that the team do not underestimate this weekend’s opponent.

“We want to become a team the performs every week, so right now our focus is just getting our job done this week against Gold Coast,” he said.

“We’ve talked about performing and performing consistently over time, so this week’s just another opportunity.  We’re going to focus on what we can control and that’s our effort and our intensity and the way we play.

“We’re probably still sticking to making the ground a little bit bigger in offense. Moving the ball and creating a bit more space then defensively pressing up the ground and turning the ball over in our front half.”