GROWING up on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, Levi Greenwood knew he had to move to Adelaide to better his chances of being drafted.

Greenwood wasn't quite 17 but sensed that – in football terms – he had quickly outgrown the seaport town of Whyalla, a four-hour drive from the state's capital.

Playing at A-grade level for the local side, Greenwood was soon running flat out to keep up with his own development.

First was the invitation to join SANFL club Port Adelaide, then opportunities with the seniors and, crucially, selection in South Australia's squad for the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

"I think I needed to move to Adelaide [when I did] to get in the selectors' eyes for the under-18s," he said. "It's just what you have to do."

Named South Australia's MVP of the carnival, the half-back had drawn the attention of North Melbourne's recruiters and, by the end of 2007, his next shift was to Arden Street.

Greenwood, now 20, will make his debut for North against Richmond on Saturday night but admits that unlike previous years he's had to be patient.

"I would have liked to have made my debut last year," he said. "But it doesn't bother me that it's taken me a bit longer than some people.

"I wasn't in the best form. I was happy with some games I played and not so happy with others.

"I made it into the squad a couple of times and got an emergency spot but I wasn't too disappointed that I didn't get a game.

"I knew that if I worked hard enough the next year I would get a crack. That's what's happened."

Greenwood played 20 games for VFL affiliate Werribee in 2008 but also faced a mid-season battle with osteitis pubis.

It hampered his selection chances but Greenwood's priority was to steer away from the curse, which he knew could wipe out a young player for months on end.

"It was probably better to be a bit more cautious with it and take an extra week or two recovery with it," he said.

"It fitted in pretty well. I think we had one weekend off and a bye in that period that I missed anyway. I've come back from it fine. I don't feel it too much anymore.

"Doing a full pre-season must have just flared it up with that being harder than an SANFL pre-season."

Working closely with defensive coach Darren Crocker, Greenwood neared his desired consistency in this year's pre-season games and was a stand-out for Werribee against the Bendigo Bombers last week.

He has also maintained the aggressive approach which drew comparisons with club great Glenn Archer when he was drafted.

"It's one of the things I've got going for me," Greenwood said, adding that he now models his game on teammate Daniel Pratt.

"My skills aren't the best so I just have to go in there hard and hopefully that works."

Named in the 25-man squad for North's match against Essendon, Greenwood was told by coach Dean Laidley on Wednesday morning that his time on the fringe had ended.

His parents, two brothers and sister will fly to Melbourne while a group of friends will make the pilgrimage by road.

"I just want to go out there and do well and then go from there," he said. "Hopefully I can stay in for as long as I can, be in good form and keep my spot.

"I dare say when it gets a bit closer, like Saturday, I might get a bit more nervous."