North Melbourne has selected Blake Drury with the first pick of the 2022 AFL Rookie Draft.

Drafted from the Oakleigh Chargers, Drury is a small forward/midfielder with leadership qualities and a high footballing IQ.

Unlucky to have not been selected over the National Draft's two-night span, the 18-year-old now finds himself joining an exciting young core featuring newly picked up Roos, Harry Sheezel (pick No.3), Brayden George (pick No.26), Cooper Harvey (pick No.56) and NAB League teammate, George Wardlaw (pick No.4).

Thanks to his football smarts and high work-rate, Drury notched terrific numbers playing for the Chargers, finishing the 2022 season with an average of 18.7 disposals per game while averaging 19 per game for Victoria Metro throughout the Under-18s National Championships.

His strong midfield attributes translate over to when he spends minutes inside 50 as a dangerous small forward. He can read the ability well and with his clean hands he can pinch goals when there's only a sliver of a chance.

A hard-worker and a respected teammate, Drury is another promising talent who will now wear the blue and white stripes.