CRUIZE Garlett and Ryan Bastinac have made early claims for spots in North Melbourne’s developing midfield with strong performances in an intra-club scratch match in Ballarat on Wednesday night.

Showing the physical and aerobic benefits of the summer program, Garlett was prominent throughout the clash that lasted just 36 minutes but lacked nothing in commitment to the contests.

Garlett, who was elevated from the rookie list between seasons, played five games in his debut season last year and figured in North’s better performers in rounds 21 and 22.

“He’s had a great pre-season,” senior assistant coach Darren Crocker said.

“He finished the year off really well last year with a little bit of opportunity and it’s given him confidence going into the pre-season.

“He showed a little bit out there tonight, which obviously puts him in the mix in relation to our midfield.”

Crocker added that Bastinac, North’s second selection in November’s NAB AFL Draft (No.21 overall), had impressed his teammates and coaches since arriving at the club.

Busy around the stoppages on Wednesday night, the 18-year-old was involved in an encouraging passage with Jack Ziebell which ended with the ball on the chest of key forward Drew Petrie.

“He’s obviously got a good motor - he won all our runs (time trials) pre-Christmas and just after Christmas, and his game sense has been good in and around match simulation,” Crocker said.

“He’ll be pushing for a call-up reasonably early with the way he’s going.”

Levi Greenwood, Sam Wright, Ben Warren, Matt Campbell, Daniel Pratt and Lachlan Hansen were among others who should have been pleased with their contributions before a crowd of more than 2000 people at Eureka Stadium.

Players were divided into white and blue sides, with a forward line of Petrie, Warren, David Hale, Brent Harvey, Campbell and Ben Ross matched against Scott Thompson, Nathan Grima, Pratt, Robbie Tarrant, Scott McMahon and Brady Rawlings.

Crocker said the intensity of the hit-out - in warm conditions - was an extension of what had been seen during simulation at training.

“It probably caused the game to be a little bit scrappy at times but there were enough positives to take away with it,” he said.

“There were a couple of good transitional plays which give you confidence that the boys are on the right track.”

Leigh Harding was the only injury concern, albeit minor, when he left the field early with a corked hamstring.

Those who didn’t play included best and fairest winner Andrew Swallow (groin), Daniel Wells (groin), Michael Firrito (ankle), Lindsay Thomas (quad), Liam Anthony (finger), Leigh Adams (knee), Josh Smith (groin), Alan Obst (quad), Ben Cunnington (foot), Nathan O’Keefe (glandular fever), Aaron Black and Majak Daw.

Swallow and Anthony are likely for the second scratch match on February 12, but Thomas could be sidelined for as many as three weeks.

Though Wells remains the furthest from selection, he trained freely on Wednesday.

“We’re hoping to get a couple of games into him before the home and away season,” Crocker said.