It remains to be seen where Shaun Higgins will fit into the North side, but whether it’s through the midfield, down back or even in attack, he’s already gained one fan.

Back on the track for the first time in 2015, captain Andrew Swallow labelled the former Bulldog as a pre-season standout.

“I’ve seen a couple of boys talk about him recently, but just the way he (Higgins) moves and really has a crack. He’s got great skills. Every time he gets the ball he usually hits a target,” Swallow told NMFC.com.au on Monday.

Higgins has trained with his new teammates for little over a month, but with 129 games’ experience has hit the ground running.

“He’s probably a bit bigger than what I thought he was. He goes in and really has a crack at the footy and works really hard. He’s been super-impressive and hopefully he’s going to be a really handy addition for us,” he said.

PRESS PLAY above to watch the Swallow interview | YouTube

Swallow, returning from a fortnight’s holiday in the United States, believes the recruitment of Higgins and Jarrad Waite will bolster the club’s depth.

Those additions, coupled with the continued emergence of North’s younger brigade, make for an exciting 2015.

“Three to four years ago we had a lot of the same guys, but just so much younger, whereas now the guys know what they are doing when they go out there (on the training track),” Swallow added.

“The level of training and intensity of training has really lifted from day one. You don’t have to pull them away or spray them because they go out there and know what to do.

“It’s probably just a bit more relaxed around the place, because guys are given a responsibility and they go and do it.”

Nevertheless, the skipper is realistic as to where the team is at.

“It was great to get to a prelim, but we walked away from that still bitterly disappointed about the result,” he said.

“Although we were happy to get there, we were shown up and we know how much work we need to continue to do, and really push our name up higher on the ladder and get a couple of home finals.

“That’s what the best teams do … to be able to get there and play good footy on the final day in September.”

Swallow said he’s “a mile ahead” of the same time last year, when he missed until round nine due to an Achilles injury.

“I really wanted to go to Utah and use that as a building block,” he added.

“I struggled a bit over there, but felt the benefits when I came back.

“Pretty much since day one at Arden Street I’ve felt good, and touch wood I can stay injury free and hopefully have a real crack at the NAB Cup (Challenge).

“I didn’t start running until well after now (last year); end of January, early February was when I actually started. So to be running around, feeling fit, doing all the drills and pretty much every part of training – I’m a mile ahead.”