Defender Lachie Hansen has opened up about the pre-game nerves he felt ahead of his first game of the year for North last Saturday.

RELATED: Hansen player profile

The 26-year-old, who had post-season surgery on both hips, finished with 12 touches and 11 marks before being substituted out in the final quarter of North’s 35-point win over Richmond.

Hansen said he experienced some pre-game jitters heading into his first AFL match since round 23 last year.

"I was pretty nervous before the game, I don’t normally get too nervous," Hansen told NMFC.com.au on Wednesday.

"Maybe being interstate in a room by myself all night, I was thinking about the game a lot but I finally got out there and getting my first kick felt good.

"I started off a little rusty but as we went on, I started to take a couple of marks."

After a lengthy rehabilitation program, Hansen spent about six weeks training with his teammates and made two appearances with VFL affiliate Werribee before his senior call-up.

"Watching the boys in the first five rounds was pretty tough to watch; you just want to be out there helping," he said.

The 197cm backman said the support he received from his fellow defenders had helped him settle back into his backline role.

"They all helped me out with their voice," Hansen said, citing the on-field direction he received from Michael Firrito, Scott Thompson and Robbie Tarrant during the match against Richmond.

"Sometimes someone is going to switch off just for a second and you get the little yap in your ear and, bang, you’re straight back on again.

"I definitely need that because sometimes I can drift off a little bit, so it was good for the boys just to help me out in that way."

Hansen said the impending clash against Essendon at Etihad Stadium will carry extra significance, especially considering it is one of two Friday night matches North will feature in this season.

"Everyone gets up and about for a Friday night game," he said.

"The boys are buzzing out on the track today and we’ll all be up and about and hoping to have a big game."

But the man himself is approaching the game with his usual calm and measured demeanour.

"I want to continue on from last week, defend hard and then try and help the other boys down there," Hansen said.

"I’m hoping to have a good game and get back to playing the footy that I’ve been playing the last couple of years."