Taylor Hine is looking forward to playing in familiar territory this week when he runs out on to Metricon Stadium in North colours.

After spending two years at the Suns, the 21-year-old says he’s ready to put friendships aside once the ball is bounced.

“I’m pretty excited. It will be good to get up and see the boys again provided I get picked and have my first hit out against them. It will be interesting, but I’m looking forward to it,” Hine told NMFC.com.au.

“Knowing how most of the guys go about things definitely helps me, rather than only watching vision of the upcoming opposition. But it’s just a little bit of an insight into how they play.”

Hine says the Roos won’t be taking Gold Coast lightly on Saturday night due to the expansion club’s rapid improvement.

“There’s a lot of good young players there so we’ll have to be careful not to let them get too much of the footy and run all over us.

“Everyone’s talking about how good Jaeger O’Meara’s going to be. He’ll probably win Rising Star this year and will go on to become a real gun in the competition.

“But there’s a lot of other good players...especially Dion Prestia who’s been playing really well this year, Rory Thompson who’s been brilliant down back and almost a contender for All-Australian full-back. And Matt Shaw has been playing every game and getting a lot of the footy.”

While looking forward to the Queensland trip, Hine’s loving being back home in Melbourne and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

“I wasn’t really a beach person so I haven’t missed the Gold Coast too much,” Hine joked.

As far as his possible role, Hine is prepared to play wherever Brad Scott wants him – even if that means being a substitute for the second time in as many weeks.

“I feel I get a little more nervous starting as the sub rather than if I just get to run out and start straight away,” Hine explained.

“You’re sort of on edge for most of the game and can’t really relax not knowing when you’re going to go on. But the boys started so well last week they almost had the game sewn up by the time I got onto the ground, so there wasn’t too much pressure on me when I ran out which was good.

“Mostly, it’s just nice to have a run and do my bit because I haven’t played for a few weeks after my ankle injury.”

Hine believes the sub-role is crucial and whoever gets the task, must influence the contest immediately.

“You just have to deal with it if that’s what your role is, so you go out to take ownership of that task, even if it is just half an hour or whatever.

“You see guys at other clubs who’ve done it so well like Matthew Stokes for Geelong. You do need to make an impact in however long you get so that’s half the reason you get a bit more nervous I guess. I’ve done it a couple of times now so I’m starting to get more used to it.”