Whether it be forward, back, in the ruck or on the wing, Nick Larkey is happy to play anywhere the coaches need him.

The 197-centimetre key-position player was one of the more versatile talls in this year’s draft class, catching the eye of North’s recruiters.

While he admits he likes to be around the goals, Larkey can play multiple roles.

“I think I prefer playing forward. I’ve played there certainly a lot more,” Larkey told NMFC.com.au.

“I’m very happy to play down back, I’m happy to play anywhere if that’s where the team needs me.”

There were some nervous moments for the 18-year-old as Gillon McLachlan called name after name at last month’s Draft. He had a nervous wait as the selections moved into the 70’s.

“We were watching the Draft on the AFL App because we don’t have Foxtel,” Larkey revealed.

“It was about 30 seconds delayed from Foxtel, so it got to pick 73 and it before it came through I got all these texts.

“I was like “oh no I don’t want to look at it” and sure enough my name got called out.”

Larkey described the feeling finding out he’d be playing for North Melbourne.

“Everyone says it’s surreal … it really is,” he said.

“It was really exciting. I got a lot of attention from everyone. It was a nice feeling.”

Two weeks into training at an AFL club, Larkey described the challenges compared to playing at under 18 level.

“The training drills are pretty similar, but here it’s just the intensity’s just through the roof,” he added.

“It’s eat, train, sleep at the moment.”