North Melbourne ruckman Hamish McIntosh says he simply can’t wait for the 2012 season to start after declaring himself fit and ready after almost a year on the sidelines.

Achilles operations on both legs allowed the 27-year old to play just a single game last season and that wasn’t until the very end of the year against Richmond.

"I haven't missed a session this pre-season, so that is all I can ask for at this stage," McIntosh told sportal.com.au.

"Last year wasn't a great year for myself as I was injured for pretty much most of it. But I am running heaps better than last year and I am enjoying being out there with the boys again.

"Hopefully I can get back to the form that I showed two years ago."

Plagued by questions over his future and rumours of a potential trade from the Kangaroos, McIntosh has enjoyed the past few months flying under the radar, away from the media spotlight.

However he acknowledges he will become a focus again with intrigue surrounding the make-up of the North side come round one and whether he can play alongside Todd Goldstein.

"I am excited about working in tandem with Goldy as I feel it could be a strength of the footy side," he said.

"I am looking forward to seeing what we can do out on the footy field as I reckon it showed it could work when we played together in the last round (in 2011). Hopefully it will be a strength of the side and help us play some finals footy.

"We are trying to train ourselves up right to get our partnership working as beautifully as it can."

The 203 centimetre giant also says another Roo ruckman, Majak Daw is coming along fast and should debut next year.

"His fitness is an area he has improved again and that is an area he needed to work on. The way you saw him play in a few VFL games last year was outstanding and I would say with a big pre-season he is only going to improve on that."

"The way he has been playing, I definitely think he is going to play some AFL footy this year."

While Daw always attracts attention on the training track, McIntosh believes another up and coming youngster will turn plenty of heads in the new year.

"The one that has really stood out (during pre-season) has been Brad McKenzie. He has been exceptional," McIntosh said.

"His skills are exactly what we need in the footy side as he has got a lethal left foot. So far in training he has really stood out with his poise and his skills and if Brad's form is good he will play some footy next year for sure."