After finishing the 2017 season in a positive fashion, North coaches and players are excited by the thought of Ryan Clarke becoming a regular in North's best 22.

The 20-year-old midfielder spent a significant period of time playing in defence during the back-end of last year - a role which he looks set to develop this summer.

“He’s going to have a little bit of a different look,” midfield coach Jarred Moore told NMFC.com.au.

“He’s been training at half-back for a little bit with Josh Drummond, and on the wing as well.

“He’s really excited about the opportunity to get into the side and really cement himself, so half-back’s a really good option for him.”

Clarke was thrown into defence to combat the numerous injuries that plagued the Roos' backline last season, but defensive coach Josh Drummond believes there’s some untapped potential in the youngster.

“Last year, probably through injury and a few guys going down in our back-half, he had to play (in defence) and he really hadn’t played much there in his career, so we sort of threw him to the wolves a little bit in that regard,” Drummond said.

“He’s always been a pretty strong ball winner and his ability to read the play and anticipate what is going to happen before his opponent is really strong, so obviously that leads to him getting the ball first and getting the footy, but also defensively it’s really important. Reaction times are a huge part of defence as well, so that’s something we’ve really tried to work on.”

Drummond will continue to work with Clarke to ensure flexibility in his game by the time the pre-season matches arrive.

“I’ve got a good opportunity in the pre-season to train him up and develop his defensive craft, and come the time the games roll around in the JLT Community Series, we’ll have the opportunity to play him in a number of different roles,” Drummond said.

“We’ll just continue playing him to his strengths and also work on the things that are a little bit foreign to him.”

It’s never easy for a player to try and learn a new position, but Clarke’s coaches believe his willingness to put in the hard yards will hold him in good stead.

“Clarkey’s a pretty knock-about, easy-going guy, the players really get along with him well off the field, but on the field he gets straight down to business and his work ethic and ability to put his head down and train is really impressive,” Drummond said.

Luke McDonald witnessed Clarke’s commitment first hand during a recent trip to Europe, and is more than happy to welcome him into the backline brigade.

“He can have my spot and I can move up the ground,” McDonald joked.

“He slotted in really nicely last season. He’s a nice ball user, so he’s a nice little breath of fresh air in the backline.

“I went away with him to Europe and every day while I was sleeping in, he was doing his shoulder rehab and you could tell by the burning desire in his eye he’s in for a bloody big year.”