It was an unusual situation for Aaron Black; only 33 games into his AFL career, he was asked to provide an opinion of North’s ‘youngsters’ during a radio interview on RSN Racing and Sport.

Mick McGuane and Michael Christian asked the number 35 to talk about those yet to make their AFL debut.

PRESS PLAY above to listen to the interview

Luke McDonald

“Luke McDonald will predominantly play down back which will be exciting. He’s been training really well and he’s already spent a pre-season with us when he was with Werribee last year.”

Max Warren

“Max Warren is in the squad and he’s been going really well. He had a good season last year but unfortunately he broke his collarbone. Hopefully he can get out there and show what he’s got.”

Joel Tippett

“Tippo is a big lad. He’s been in the system for a while now so he knows what it takes. He’s really keen to get out there and prove he can play at this level consistently so he’ll be another really good one.”

Mitch Wilkins

“When Mitch first got to the club he was lightly built. He’s worked on that like a lot of us did at the club.

“He had a pretty solid year in the VFL last year and he didn’t miss any games at all. He’s gone on from that and he’s another one of the guys who hasn’t missed a session in the pre-season. He’s fit in really well in the backline and he’s always asking questions of Scott Thompson and Lachie Hansen for advice.

“He’s an attacking half back flanker so he’ll be good to watch.”

Mason Wood

“In the first couple of years in the AFL system you’re lucky not to get an injury but most of us go through it.

“Mase was one of them but he’s a really good half-forward/third tall type with strong hands on him.

“He’s got a real nice set shot on him too.”

For Black himself, he hasn’t missed a single session this pre-season. Free of the early-career groin pain for the last 18 months, he’s set for a big 2014 despite increased opposition attention.

Whether that is higher up the ground or closer to goal is yet to decide for a player who enjoys using his physical talents against his matchup.

“For me I probably prefer to play a bit higher up the ground. I can use my speed and get up on the lead, take a few marks on the wing and more kick the ball inside 50.

“In saying that, all forwards like kicking goals so it’s nice to sit in the goalsquare every now and then.”