Finally injury free but with his fingers firmly crossed, Jed Anderson is eyeing an uninterrupted season.
The 24-year-old has never had a clear run in his time at North but hopes his fortunes will change in 2018.
“I feel like I am in that position where everything is set up for me to go and attack it and play my natural football game,” he said.
“That’s to run forward and tackle and pressure and I felt like the last few weeks I have been able to do that and contribute to the team.”
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The small forward chose to go to Utah late last year to kick-start his campaign, but injured his thumb at training soon after returning.
Despite the setback, Anderson is staying confident.
“I have had a good pre-season and my body is in good nick and if I can get a good run at it, I will stay in the side," he said.
Picked to play in Round 1 in Cairns, Anderson was one of North's best performers in the monsoonal conditions.
“It was pretty wet but I have played a bit of footy like that back home in Darwin," he told News Limited.
“The ball was slippery but it was just about driving it forward.”
It's a contract year for the number three, but he won't let that impact the way goes about it on the field.
“It’s just the start of the year and I want to play really good footy. I have loved my time at the club and if I keep playing consistent footy I can get a deal.
“If it comes it comes. I will let my footy to the talking.”
Adding to the emotion of playing on Good Friday is Anderson's own sons, Elijah, 5, and Jasiah, 3, have needed hospital care during their upbringing.
“It is awesome to be playing. We have been in hospital a couple of times and they do an amazing job in there. They put the kids first and they do a great job so we can’t thank them enough.”