Despite limited opportunities to put their skills on show in proper hit-outs, North Melbourne’s Head of Development, Gavin Brown, has been encouraged with the gradual development of youngsters Joel Crocker and Matt McGuinness. 

Both have been given time to build their games and frames, with Crocker joining the club after missing the best part of two years with injury, and McGuinness joining as a Category B rookie at the 2019 Draft. 

“They’ve had limited opportunity with no VFL, but they’ve been involved in the scratch matches and are going well,” Brown told North Media. 

“They came into the club skinny, and a bit immature physically … but they’re hitting the gym hard and rolling their sleeves up and getting into it. 

“Last week they played in one (scratch match) with St Kilda and Melbourne on opposite teams, and even played on each other which was quite bizarre, but they acquitted themselves well,” Brown said. 

The pair will be given another chance this Sunday, with a scratch match scheduled on the Gold Coast. Brown said hopefully in time, the pair will be in a position to vie for senior selection but admits he’s not sure when that could be.

“It’s another opportunity to put into place the things we’ve been working on,” Brown explained. 

“It’s great for us to be able to watch them … and keep working on their game.

"It's an opportunity for them to put their hand up and keep improving their footy."