North Melbourne Kangaroos coach David Noble says he’s impressed with the mentality No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis has brought so far this pre-season.

“He’s got a confidence about him, but there’s no arrogance in there," Noble said at Arden St on Wednesday. "It’s just a confidence he knows his capability.

“He’s going to put a lot of pressure on our players and us as coaches to challenge him to get better."

Horne-Francis is the first North Melbourne player to feel the pressure of being the top draft pick, after being called with the Roos' historic first selection in last month's NAB AFL Draft.

While first-year players are restricted in pre-season, undertaking roughly 60 per cent of activities, Horne-Francis has still managed to contribute when he’s taken to the park.

“I haven’t seen anything I haven’t liked (about Horne-Francis)," Noble said. "We’ve just got to take it easy with him.”

With the number 18 guernsey vacant heading into 2022, there was discussion surrounding whether Horne-Francis would wear the guernsey most famously worn by 1996 and 1999 premiership captain Wayne Carey.

Instead new recruit Hugh Greenwood will pull on Carey’s famous number, with Horne-Francis electing to wear the number six. That guernsey has a special history at North, having been worn by the likes of Arnold Briedis, Ian Fairley and Shannon Grant.

“Number six is (one of two) jumpers that’s been in every premiership,” Noble said.

“From that side of things it’s got great heritage as well."