North Melbourne has added to its talented midfield stocks, selecting the bullocking Luke Urquhart with the club's third selection in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft, at pick No.57 overall.

The 184cm recruit hails from East Fremantle, where Kangaroos star Cam Zurhaar also played his junior footy.

Urquhart starred for Western Australia as a tough inside midfielder at Under-18 level this season, averaging 5.5 clearances and 21 possessions (11 contested).

He will be at home among the WA products on the Kangaroos' list, including 2023 draft selections Riley Hardeman and Robert Hansen jnr, along with Zurhaar, Griffin Logue, Zac Fisher, Jack Darling and Brynn Teakle. 

Urquhart's speed and endurance were on display at the Draft Combine, where clocked an impressive 2.98s in the 20m sprint and recorded 6:25 in the 2km time trial.

"We think we can mould him into a more defensive-style inside mid," North Melbourne national recruiting and retention manager Will Thursfield told AFL.com.au on draft night. 

"He tackles really well. He's got genuine speed and power, so we're really excited about him."

Urquhart joins Finn O'Sullivan, Matt Whitlock and father-son prospect River Stevens as North Melbourne's newest recruits, after the trio were selected with picks No.2, No.27 and No.67 respectively