North’s youngest players return today, with 19 first to four-year players jetting off to Utah for day one of pre-season.

Roos General Manager Football Cameron Joyce said it was an “exciting time” for the club’s youngest stars, as they prepare for a big 2017.

“Most of those guys would think they are a chance to play senior footy next year,” Joyce told The Herald Sun.

“We are really excited about some of them playing in the pre-season and hopefully some of them take their chance in the home-and-away season.

“On the first day in Utah it is one of the things we will talk about, there will be opportunity but there will also be competition.”

It’s that competition which will ensure pre-season training is at a high intensity, Joyce said.

“The opportunity awaits those who are prepared to knuckle down and have a good pre-season. We have got a group that is hungry but also starved of a little bit of opportunity.”

North’s senior players return to Arden St on November 28, with the group set to return as one at the start of December. North will further add to its group in the NAB AFL Draft on November 25.

The evolution of the Roos’ forward line also looms as a point of interest next season, with several players keen to step up and further cement their position alongside players like Jarrad Waite.

“With Ben Brown, Waite, Daw and (Mason) Wood, we think there is a lot there in terms of ability with our key forwards and marking forwards,’’ he said.

“The opportunity Majak took towards the end of the year was great and it earned him a contract extension. To be able to build around those guys will be important and Majak wants the opportunity. It’s up to him now.”