Get the lowdown on North Melbourne's second selection of the 2022 AFL Draft, midfielder George Wardlaw.

1. He's a power athlete

Several of Wardlaw's traits as a footballer stand out immediately when he plays, but perhaps more so than the others is his natural power. Often getting his hands on the football at stoppages first, the Oakleigh product's ability to break away from congestion and release teammates out wide with poise is a huge part of what makes him a ready-to-go AFL midfielder. NAB League testing day also saw him record the second best overall vertical jump, so expect him to be a force in aerial contests as well as at ground level.

2. He shows up in big games

It only took a small sample size of games for Wardlaw this season to confirm his credentials as a potential top-three draft selection, and across his limited 2022 campaign due to injury, the 18-year-old was involved in some key fixtures. Round 1 of the NAB League saw Wardlaw collect 24 touches, eight tackles and a goal while going head-to-head with highly rated midfielder Will Ashcroft of the Sandringham Dragons. A key spark in the 18-point Oakleigh win, it was a performance that had the competitive onballer right in No.1 pick mix. He further strengthened his prospects in the Australian AFL Academy's clash with Collingwood VFL in May and was awarded the MCC President’s Medal for being the Academy's best afield.

3. He values defensive work

As a known forceful, contested-ball winner, Wardlaw's defensive work-rate is just as impressive. On offence he averaged 20.7 disposals and was equally as productive without the ball, having averaged 5.7 tackles a game throughout his stint with the Chargers this year. Wardlaw's unmatched drive and intensity around the contest leaves his opponents with little opportunity to break away from him should they collect the ball first, while his overall tackling technique often sees him force stoppages or turnovers. "I'm an inside midfielder who tries to win the hard ball and release the outside players, and I value defence as well so that's the pressure acts and the tackling," Wardlaw told AFL.com.au.

4. He can go forward

While dominant on the inside, the combative midfielder can also get dangerous away from the coalface. At NAB League level, Wardlaw was able to kick two goals from three games, displaying his ability to play a pinch-hit forward line role. His athleticism and leap will provide the Roos with another different forward line dynamic should they choose to use Wardlaw as midfielder who pushes deep as an attacking threat.

5. He will enter the League alongside his childhood mate

Wardlaw and his childhood friend, Elijah Tsatas, who was nabbed by Essendon with pick No.5, have been linked since they met at state-level under 12s. “Right from the get-go we got to know each other, and get along really well,” Wardlaw told reporters at the MCG last week. Now they'll be able to share the AFL's big stage, but it's not going to stop the two best mates from challenging each other when they eventually face off. “We’ve played against each other in the past ... I’m not going to go easy on him,” Wardlaw said.