Utility Mason Wood says midfielder Nick Dal Santo’s injury absence will give him more of an opportunity to play further up the ground.

RELATED: Wood player profile

The 21-year-old played his third AFL game for North last Saturday night against Port Adelaide, matching up on the Power’s Kane Mitchell and Brad Ebert for most of the game.

Wood finished with 19 disposals, five marks and a goal playing mainly on the wing, with stints in his customary forward position.

Wood said his increased game time at the elite level has seen the need for a shift in mentality.

"It’s funny that when you go out there a bit hesitant, you get hurt a lot more (but) if you go out with the mindset of being the aggressor, things turn out to be hurting them a lot more than hurting you," Wood told NMFC.com.au on Tuesday.

"I was really happy with how I went (against Port Adelaide) and how I mixed in with the team."

Wood, who made his debut in round 23 last year against Melbourne, said the growing self-belief in his ability will help him gain an advantage over his opponents.

"What I’ve always been good at is running and then being able to have that little bit more body size (against) the other wingers, who are a bit smaller than me, gives me a lot of confidence," he said.

North forwards coach Shane Watson said the tackling component of Wood’s game has developed significantly and will help him maximise his robust frame.

"He’s a good overheard mark and now he’s a better pressure player than he used to be," Watson said.

"He’s put on a bit of size and can handle tackling and being tackled; he can handle the knocks."

Wood has added a little more than 11kg since he joined the Roos with pick No.41 in the 2012 AFL Draft and now weighs just over 90kg.

Watson said Wood will be hard to replace in the Roos’ 22-man squad if he maintains his current form.

"If he keeps playing the way he’s playing, it’ll be more difficult for him to come out of the side," he said.

"His role, whether he is playing forward or up the ground, is relying on his work-rate.

"He’s quick and he’s got a good engine so it’s a tough combination to match up on."