Captain Andrew Swallow says he exceeded expectations in his first competitive hit-out since having off-season surgery on both knees.

The 28-year-old, who resumed full training with the main playing group in mid-January, was originally scheduled to play two quarters of North's intra-club match last Friday but featured in just over three quarters.

Swallow said he pulled up well and remains a strong chance of taking part in the upcoming NAB Challenge series.

"I was just happy to play a half but it felt like I needed the run, and the fitness staff and docs were happy so they kept me going," Swallow told NMFC.com.au on Tuesday.

"I'm a chance to play this week (in the NAB Challenge against St Kilda) which I probably didn't think beforehand, so we'll just wait and see what they decide there.

"The fitness is going to take a couple of games to get back because I didn't start running until just before Christmas."

Last week's intra-club match saw the Roos' over 25-year-olds line up against the youngsters, with draftee Ryan Clarke the only exception.

Swallow said Clarke, who played with the over-25s as a matter of team balance, displayed his potential at the elite level with a spirited performance.

"His ability to run both ways impressed," Swallow said.

"He can get out of the stoppage really quickly. He got his hands on the ball inside the stoppage but also … cleared up and did well."

The Roos' skipper said the intra-club match was played at a high quality and even attracted a positive response from the men in charge.

"One of the umpires actually mentioned it, (he said) it was probably the most intense intra-club he's seen in his time, which was good feedback for us," Swallow said.

"I thought it was a pretty high quality game, especially when you're playing yourselves because you know what the guys are doing and where they're setting up."

Swallow said he wasn't surprised to see the game played at such intensity, given that every player was determined to begin the season on a positive note.

"We've got a healthy list and everyone needs to be up and about if they want to give themselves a chance to play," he said.

"It's not like there's going to be automatic inclusions."