Small forward Leigh Adams says he’s had the “perfect lead-up” to the new season and is determined to repay the faith the club has shown in him.

The 26-year-old, who has required arthroscopic surgery on his knee over the past two pre-seasons, played about 60 per cent of North’s NAB Challenge hit-out against Hawthorn last week.

Adams said he pulled up well after his first match of the year and continues to manage his workload in preparation for the home and away season.

“I haven’t played many pre-season games over the last few years which is a positive, it means I’m a bit further in front of what I have been in other years,” Adams told NMFC.com.au.

“It’s worked out really well, I’ve been able to get a game in and have a week off ... it’s been a perfect lead-up really in the last few weeks.

“There are still a few weeks to go until the season starts so it’s about getting the balance right and getting enough training to get the loads right, but not overdoing it as well.”

RELATED: Leigh Adams player profile

Adams sent an injury scare through the club early last month after hyper-extending his left knee during a match simulation session, but was later cleared of any damage.

The 176cm forward said it was a “minor incident” and he wasn’t concerned when he came off the ground.

“From my point of view, I wasn’t worried one bit. I just knew that I ticked off what I needed to do at training and I was just getting off the track,” he said.

Despite featuring in all of North’s 22 home and away games last season, Adams admits his fitness and form restricted him from playing at his best and taking part in full training.

But he said the support received from the coaching staff has kept his morale high and has given him renewed optimism heading into the upcoming season.

“The main thing I took out of it (2014) was that even though I wasn’t contributing to the level I would’ve liked to, the coaches still had faith in me, that I was in the best 22 for pretty much every game,” he said.

“I played a lot of those games as a substitute and was in and out from full game to a sub, but it gave me confidence to know... the coaches still had that bit of faith in me and hopefully I can repay them this year.”

With Adams now on a mission to regain his touch from “two or three years ago”, he said performing more than one role could enhance his chances of becoming a regular member of the squad.

“I’ve got to become a bit more adaptable to different positions as well,” he said.

“I’ve had the luxury of just playing in that one position for the last three or four years and not having to really venture to any different positions, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do that this year or I’m just going to have to work pretty hard to try and win a spot.”

Over the course of his 104 AFL appearances, Adams has shown patches of playing further up the ground from his customary position at half-forward, while also applying defensive pressure in attack.

Besides Adams, fellow small forwards Lindsay Thomas, Kayne Turner, Robbie Nahas and Shaun Higgins are all aiming to feature in attacking 50.

Adams said each player could have a role in the best 22.

“We might be able to play a few of us together if we’re all working together and making sure the ball stays in our forward half and we’re defending well,” he said.

“It’s good for the footy club if we’ve got four or five blokes fighting for those few positions up there, it means that we’re getting some really good depth about us which we haven’t had in years gone by.”

With 35 players used in North’s past two NAB Challenge matches, Adams said healthy competition will create a good environment at Arden Street.

“Everyone’s done their little bit and it’s going to be interesting to see how 35 (players) go into 22 because everyone who has played in the NAB Challenge has shown what they’ve got,” he said.

“At this stage, every bloke’s just fighting to be in that round one team for the first week and build from there.”