A return to full-contact footy couldn’t come quick enough for young North leader, Jy Simpkin.

The midfielder has been burning up the track since the players’ returned, and was a standout during a competitive hit-out on Friday.

“The intensity’s unbelievable. I thought coming back those first few sessions it might be a bit of a struggle, but the boys have come back firing,” Simpkin said.

“We’ve missed it [footy] for the last 10 or 11 weeks … itt’s good to be back out there and hit some bodies.”

While North’s No.12 will be keen to continue his Round 1 form, where he picked up 23 disposals and a goal, another emerging Roo could also be pushing for a call-up.

“Little Jack Mahony … he’s been catching my eye over the last few weeks,” Simpkin commented.

“His cleanness around the forward line and his attack on the ball’s been really good.”

Mahony enjoyed a taste of senior football in the pre-season, and is making all posts a winner on the track.

At the other end of the spectrum, veteran Aaron Hall is back to his line-breaking best, according to Simpkin.

“Hally’s a powerful unit; when he gets going he’s hard to stop,” Simpkin said.

“When I’m playing on him in the midfield, I think, ‘oh sh*t’ … I might be in trouble here if he gets me out the back.

“Playing against him and seeing he’s obviously done a lot of work throughout the break, and he’ll be flying for the rest of the season.”

Watch the Simpkin interview, including highlights from training below.