While North Melbourne's players are sure to be pushed even further in the area of fitness before the NAB Cup, there were plenty who would have shed a wry smile when skills training stepped up a notch on Friday.

For the first time since their return to the club in 2012, the players took part in full-ground match simulation drills and were pitted one-on-one with their team-mates.

After the series of runs that greeted the players upon their return from the Christmas break, the Sherrin's coming out onto the track were a welcome Change-up and intensity levels were high.

The upbeat mood of the group was further boosted by the strong effort on the track by Ayden Kennedy as he continues his ongoing rehabilitation from a knee injury suffered in the NAB Challenge last year.

Check out the best photos from the session below:

kangaroos.com.au will chat exclusively with Kennedy in the coming days.

Players make space inside the forward 50

Scott Thompson flies for the contested mark

Andrew Swallow handballs as his teammates look on

Ben McKinley attempts to lay the tackle

Matt Campbell releases the handball just in time

Scott McMahon sizes up the targets ahead of him