IRISH rookie Conor Meredith has taken another important step in his development with selection in VFL affiliate Werribee's senior side for its clash with Sandringham on Sunday.

Meredith, 20, was signed to a two-year deal by North Melbourne late last year after list and strategy manager Cameron Joyce spotted him at an August camp held by player agent Ricky Nixon.

An emerging Gaelic football talent for county Laois, Meredith spent five days training with the Roos in November – just four months after kicking a Sherrin for the first time.

He made a brief trip back to Ireland for Christmas before embarking on a block of pre-season training, which was "very different" for the youngster.

Working closely with development coaches John Lamont and David Newett, Meredith has since played a handful of practice matches plus five games in the VFL reserves.

Meredith's parents have spent the last two weeks in Melbourne and will be at Chirnside Park for his senior debut, before returning to Ireland on Wednesday.

"They're happy to see I'm fitting in," Meredith said, adding that he shares a house in Niddrie with teammates Alan Obst and Nathan O'Keefe.

"There were small steps to start but it's a big enough step to jump up a grade. I've been happy with how I'm progressing but I'm working pretty hard.

"All of the coaches have been really helpful and it's great to finally jump up after four or five games.

"I've been playing what I think has been pretty consistent football in the reserves, doing my job and doing the team thing. It's good to get the chance."

Joyce said the defender was a long-term prospect but admitted Meredith had progressed quicker than he expected.

"We're rapt for him to have a game, but we're pretty realistic with Conor," he said.

"Obviously it's a two- to three-year project and just because he's got an opportunity in the seniors, it's not just going to be an easy transition into a rookie upgrade."

That was the case for Essendon's Michael Quinn, who also joined his club as an international rookie in December, was elevated to the senior list in place of injured forward Scott Gumbleton and has played two AFL games already.

"He crept into the side and he's done very well," Meredith said of his countryman. "He's making great strides.

"That's something I definitely aspire to. You never know with injuries and stuff like that how things could work out."

Joyce attended another draft camp in Ireland last month and said the model created by Nixon's Flying Start company had put North in a position to consider a second signing.

"It's a recruiting network that we probably wouldn't be able to set up ourselves," Joyce said. "The players that have come to his camp are the right types to be able to play AFL football.

"A few came back from the previous year and we could look to bring another player out for a trial again later this season."