Conor Meredith Highlights

IT'S BEEN a hectic fortnight for Conor Meredith, offered a two-year international rookie position by North Melbourne, returning to Ireland to discuss the opportunity with his family and landing on Sunday morning to start pre-season training.

Meredith, from County Laois, had five-day trials with Richmond and North last month but also spent time with the Brisbane Lions in July.

North's list manager Cameron Joyce spotted Meredith at player agent Ricky Nixon's draft camp in Ireland in August and thought the 19-year-old had the attributes to adapt to the Australian code.

"It was a combination of things, but one of the main things was that his kicking was pretty good the first time I saw him," Joyce said. "And I thought he was a quality person who was pretty driven to play professional sport.

"I also believe that he possibly could make the transition with his height at 186cm and his speed being pretty good over 20 metres. The package wasn't too bad."

North was one of four clubs to confirm by Tuesday that it would add an international rookie to its squad – Adelaide, Essendon and the Sydney Swans being the others – and Joyce expects that number to grow in the coming years.

"I think a few more clubs are exploring Ireland and that's what we wanted to do as part of our recruiting strategies – for the next five to seven years when things might be a little bit tougher to obtain talent," he said.

He added that the main scouting opportunities through Nixon's system may be brought forward to February or March so that AFL clubs can see prospective rookies represent their universities, while given a larger window to offer trials, visit parents or watch more Gaelic football.

Starting with the two-day coastal camp at Wilsons Promontory, Meredith will undertake three-and-a-half weeks' training before returning to Ireland over Christmas and the New Year.

"We just thought it was really important to get him back and get him involved with the club," Joyce said.

"Make sure his transition was good, [sort out] where he's going to live, get to know the footy club and get accustomed to training."

Because of Meredith's selection and with small forward Cruize Garlett to retain his spot for another season, North will have four selections in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft on December 16.

"We're just working out what's fallen out of the national draft from Saturday and obviously keeping our needs firmly in mind to produce another list to go in with," Joyce said.