It’s still a month until North’s first pre-season game, but that hasn’t stopped one youngster from putting his foot down at training.

After a taste of senior football in 2016, which included a NAB Rising Star nomination, Ryan Clarke’s teammates expect him to see much more time in the middle this year.

“I love the way he goes about it. He played a couple of games last year, but he’s really come back in good nick,” Jamie Macmillan said on RSN Racing & Sport.

“He never ceases to amaze me with a couple of things he’s doing at training.”

Macmillan has also been impressed by two other players pushing for a debut – Sam Durdin and Ed Vickers-Willis.

“Our young guys are smelling the opportunity that’s in front of them and hopefully they can take it,” he said.

“We’re going to need some key-defenders to stand up and he’s (Durdin) one that’s come on in leaps and bounds over these last couple of months.

“Ed Vickers-Willis is another from the same draft. They’ve both had injury troubles over the last couple of years, but they finally managed to get a couple of months towards the back end of last year and put some games together and get a bit of continuity in their footy.

“If not straight up, I expect them to play some sort of senior footy this year.”

While his preparation has been limited as he recovers from a broken leg, first-round draft selection Jy Simpkin has caught Macmillan’s eye.

“There’s just sometimes with young kids you get that sense, even if they are just kicking the footy with you, you can just get that sense,” Macmillan said.

“You can just feel something with him, so I think he’s going to be a really good player for us.”

While former Magpie Marley Williams boasts plenty of AFL experience, Macmillan is confident he can provide something special.

“He’s (Williams) been adding a little bit of run and a little bit of drive. A lot of guys have spoken about our backline perhaps lacking that a little bit, but he’s certainly bringing that to the table which is good," he said.

“He adds another dimension. He can also lock down, which is something we’ve probably struggled with. Just thinking back to the Adelaide final with (Eddie) Betts kicking five or six, to be able to bring in a defender to perhaps take someone like that out of the game will be helpful.”

The deputy vice-captain backing Williams and fellow recruit Nathan Hrovat to quickly make their presence felt at a new club.

“I expect them both to play this year and probably pretty early I’d think as well,” he said.