Hamish McIntosh says new team-mate Brad McKenzie has the talent to become a star at Aegis Park in the coming years.

Speaking on SEN Radio on Saturday night, McIntosh spoke highly of North Melbourne’s first draft selection.

“All the young kids are going really well, but Brad would be the one that stands out most. His skills are impeccable,” McIntosh said.

“He’s got some of the best skills I’ve seen come into the club in the ten years that I’ve been there.”

Having arrived just over two months ago, McKenzie has previously said he’s got plenty of work to do before debuting, but the big ruckman believes he could have an immediate impact.

“He stands out at training a lot. He doesn’t miss a lot of targets and I’m sure if he gets his body right and keeps training how he is, he’ll get a lot of opportunity this year.

“It’s what we need in the side as well. He’s got some really good skills, he’s a nice outside player and hopefully he can be a great player for this footy club.”

McIntosh also has plenty to prove after managing just one game in 2011 due to two injured achilles tendons.

“The body’s feeling pretty fresh. I’ve been able to do pretty much every session and get through it all. It’s been tough and grueling and now I’m just looking forward to getting into some games.

“Probably now more than ever I’m realizing that I’m a little bit older now and I’ve got to be a little bit smarter with my body.

“I realise now that sometimes when I want to go and train a little bit harder, I might have to pull myself back and just maybe go to the pool rather than going out on the track and monitor my body that way so I can get through every session.”

The 27 year-old says fellow ruckman Todd Goldstein’s re-signing is an exciting coup for the club and he can’t wait to work in tandem in 2012.

“It’s great news the big Goldberg (Goldstein) has signed again. It’s great he’s done it so early as well.

“There would have been a fair bit of attention on him this year, he’s obviously a very good player and there was a bit of speculation going around about GWS, but now he can really concentrate on having another big year like he did last year and hopefully him and I can have a great partnership this year.”