He mightn't have arrived with the same fanfare as Nick Dal Santo, but former Tiger Robin Nahas is firmly in the plans of his new coach Brad Scott.
North gave up its third pick in the National Draft to secure the 26-year-old; a move that could be seen as a risk for a player who managed just six games this season.
Scott though, is confident the club made the right move.
"I've been really impressed with Robin over the years. I think he's really one of the more dangerous small forwards in the competition," Scott told NMFC.com.au.
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Nahas joined his new Kangaroo team-mates for his first skills session at Utah University on Monday (Utah time), intent on making an impression.
Just two seasons ago he kicked 34 goals, now he'll be aiming to reignite his career.
"He's got a lot of hard work ahead of him, he knows that and he's got to push his way into our best side, but the challenge is there for him. It's a big challenge and one I'm sure he's up to," Scott explained.”
Dal Santo has been one of the most talked about recruits at North and for good reason, according to Scott.
"He's showed today just what a class act he is on the track.
"He's a beautiful ball-user, a great decision maker and a terrific guy too. The guys have warmed to him really quickly and I'm sure after three weeks here, living at high-altitude, he'll come back and feel like he's been a North player for six months."”
Used regularly as a rebounding defender for St Kilda most recently, the 29-year-old's versatility will make him a welcome addition.
"I think he can play forward, back, mid. He's just a class act, he can play anywhere.
"I think we've got some options now. You look at the end of the year and Ben Jacobs pushing into the midfield and Luke McDonald will push into probably the midfield/defence type area. There are lot of players who are now putting their hand up and deserve to be picked in our best side."”
Scott says the new blood on the field is matched by the off-season additions.
Geoff Walsh (Director of Football), as well as coaches Leigh Tudor, Gavin Brown and Ben Dyer made the club one of the key-movers during the break.
Tudor is highly regarded after being part of winning cultures at St Kilda and Sydney.
"He brings a wealth of experience from other clubs and will bring some new ideas, which we need. As a coaching group we need to really challenge each other.
"I've given the guys a big responsibility to take control of their areas, but we need to challenge each other all the time. Leigh coming from different environments will be able to do that - Gavin Brown and Ben Dyer as well."
