For many hopeful youngsters, Tuesday's Pre-season and Rookie Draft's may well prove the last chance they get to make it in the AFL.
For many hopeful youngsters, Tuesday's Pre-season and Rookie Draft's may well prove the last chance they get to make it in the AFL.
Years of hard work and dedication rides on a selection on Tuesday and even a player who is lucky enough to gain a spot, faces an uphill battle with just one in five rookies promoted to a senior list.
Opportunity can often bring out the best in a footballer though and even the 95th and final pick, headed to the Swans, can take solace from those before him who made it when many thought they weren't good enough.
North Melbourne has five picks in the Rookie Draft and the recruiting team will no doubt be trying to secure the next Cameron Pedersen, Nathan Grima or Michael Firrito.
Pedersen was the feel-good story of 2011 at Aegis Park. Training in the day and working at Bunnings at night to provide for his young family, Pedersen was an example of some of the challenges a rookie faces.
When he had the chance to shine, he grabbed it with both hands and now his future is brighter than ever before.
The players that do end up in royal blue and white on Tuesday will be hoping for a similar path, or even that of Aaron Mullett who also impressed and gained a promotion late in the year.
While the numbers are stacked against them, selection in the rookie draft could be the stepping stone to something special.
North's selections: 10, 28, 46, 63, 77. Who do you think has been North's best rookie selection? View the history of the Kangaroos' picks below.
1997
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
15
Julian Kirzner
3
5
30
Bryan Beinke
0
0
1998
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
13
David Round
0
0
29
Craig Folino
0
0
45
Julian Kirzner
3
5
61
Wade Kingsley
0
0
1999
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
14
Winis Imbi
0
0
29
Kent Kingsley
12
10
42
Marcus Nalder
0
0
52
Ryan Pagan
3
0
2000
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
16
Nick Lowther
0
0
32
Michael Ablett
0
0
48
Mark Hilton
1
0
60
Ryan Pagan
3
0
2001
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
13
Leigh Harding
141
157
29
Rodney Tregenza
0
0
44
Digby Morrell
40
47
57
David Teague
33
4
2002
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
4
John Baird
46
7
20
Stuart Cooper
0
0
2003
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
10
Michael Firrito*
170
27
26
Jeremy Clayton
8
6
42
Clinton Alleway
0
0
55
Nick Gill
0
0
2004
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
-
No selections
-
-
2005
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
7
Josh Gibson
65
2
23
Josh Thewlis
0
0
38
Scott McMahon*
89
27
51
Justin Perkins
4
0
2006
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
10
Ed Lower
42
16
26
Djaran Whyman
3
4
2007
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
3
Leigh Adams*
44
33
19
Ben Hughes
0
0
34
Matt Campbell*
67
70
47
Tim Hutchison
0
0
2008
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
14
Nathan Grima*
42
0
30
Cruize Garlett*
25
5
44
Alan Obst
5
0
56
Michael Wundke
0
0
60
James Wilsen
0
0
2009
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
9
Marcus White
2
0
25
Luke Delaney*
8
0
40
Ben Speight*
10
7
54
Alan Obst
5
0
68
Conor Meredith
0
0
2010
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
9
Majak Daw*
0
0
25
Matthew Scott
0
0
2011
Pick
Player
NM Games
Goals
17
Cam Pedersen
14
18
34
Aaron Mullett
3
0
* Player is currently on North Melbourne list
kangaroos.com.au will post all the picks as they happen from the 2012 Rookie Draft on Tuesday December 13 from 11am EST.