Boom draftee Harry Sheezel appears poised for a run of games at half-back after his exceptional debut helped steer North Melbourne to a five-point victory over West Coast in Alastair Clarkson's first game as Kangaroos coach.

No.3 draft pick Sheezel (34 disposals, 625 metres gained) was drafted as a forward-midfielder but stole the show on debut off half-back, delivering a performance reminiscent of Rising Star Nick Daicos' 2022 at Collingwood.

His 34 touches are just behind Greg 'Diesel' Williams in the record books, who picked up 38 in his first game in 1984.

Dean Greig's 39 on debut is the all-time record set in 1991.

"He is a pretty special talent for us," Clarkson said.

"We just really lacked some polish in our back half ... he did give us a little bit of that class.

"Where he actually settles we're not too sure but he might be starting at half-back for us next week."

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Clarkson admitted the gamble to leave out Todd Goldstein for Tristan Xerri to ruck solo "didn't look too flash" when Xerri went down with an ankle injury in the first quarter and was substituted for Will Phillips.

But makeshift ruck duo Hugh Greenwood and Charlie Comben battled manfully while midfield bull Luke Davies-Uniacke (32 disposals, 11 clearances) and co-captain Jy Simpkin got to work in the middle.

"In this caper you need to learn how to win and I think there was a fair few North supporters who ... thought we could somehow find a way to lose that game of footy," Clarkson said.

"I'm just so pleased that we hung in there and found ourselves a win and just know that we can work our way through tough periods of the game.

"For them to get that belief that they can get a win, particularly under a bit of adversity, young group, we did tire a bit late. But to do it without our recognised ruckman was a pretty special effort."

Xerri will have scans but appears likely to spend several weeks on the sidelines.