There are certain pressures that come with AFL football that most people can’t quite empathise with. The pressures from teammates, coaches and fans, the pressures of leadership, and the pressures of performance.

As the reigning Syd Barker Medallist and current co-vice-captain of North Melbourne's AFL side, Jy Simpkin has not just welcomed extra pressure on his shoulders in recent years, he’s welcomed it.

“I love and thrive off of those sorts of things. I love being vice-captain and being a leader around our club,” Simpkin told North Media.

“[I love] helping the young guys out. We’ve got a lot of young guys like ‘Powelly’ (Tom Powell), Will (Phillips), (Jason) Horne-Francis now coming through. I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way.”

With another pre-season in the books, all eyes now turn to North’s round one clash with Hawthorn.

Simpkin said he’s excited for the group to implement the development they’ve experienced this pre-season.

“We’ve had a year under Nobes’ (senior coach David Noble) game plan and all the new coaches we got in last year,” he said.

“Twelve months forward to now we’ve all gelled a lot better, we understand how each other plays, and how we want to go about our footy. We can’t wait to play next Sunday and the rest of the season."