When it comes to your first year in the AFL system, not many draftees will have an experience like the crop of 2020.

It’s the middle of Autumn, and Jack Mahony should be pushing his case for a call-up, or if his pre-season form had continued, even debuted in the royal blue and white by now.

Instead, he and the rest of his teammates are stuck at home, waiting to see what happens next.  

Nevertheless, the North youngster is keen to make the most of a tough situation.

“I’m just trying to keep the motivation levels up, because hopefully we’ll be back playing soon,” Mahony told North Media.

“I see this as a chance to try and improve a few things.

“Going away from the training with the group to doing my own thing is just trying to keep a fairly normal routine; to get training done in the morning, don’t stay up too late or get caught sitting around all day.”

Mahony made all posts a winner in the pre-season, and even enjoyed a taste of senior football in the Marsh Community Series, playing two games.

He ultimately missed a Round 1 berth, but all signs pointed to him being right around the mark. 

“It’s probably in a sense not an awful thing (time away from the club), in that I’ve got a taste and I know what it’s like training and having the full professional week,” Mahony said.

“Earlier in the year you get a bit tired after a week, and kind of just sit down and don’t really think about it too much and you roll into next week, whereas now I think I’ve got a taste of it and know what to expect when we come back.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to jump back in and really keep improving.”

With footy edging closer, that hard work away from Arden Street will soon be put into action. 

Watch the full chat with Jack Mahony below.