“He’ll be stepping up and playing some quality senior games down back,” Thompson told NMFC.com.au.
“He’s just maturing, getting a lot stronger and really fitting in and working well off the back-line.”
Thompson says the 20-year old has been one of the standouts during North Melbourne's pre-season campaign.
“I’ve talked with a few of the defenders and they really see that he can find a spot in the team and in the defence, especially if a few of the other guys go up into the midfield.
“His one-on-one ability to get the footy is a great asset.”
Assistant coach Shane Watson echoed the sentiments of Thompson.
“He’s going very well. There’s obviously a role for him as a small defender back there.”
Mullett’s precision foot skills could make him a dangerous asset across half-back, particularly if Shaun Atley pushes further up the field for more midfield experience.
“There’s certainly a spot for a guy who’s a really nice left-foot kick,” Watson added.
“He’s got the speed and the kicking to play down there, it’s just a matter of whether he can take that position.
“We’ve been working on his defending, because he’s naturally an offensive sort of player, but if he can get that balance between defending first, then getting the footy and running and attacking he’ll offer something different in defence.”
On Tuesday, Mullett passed his first test for 2013 during the Kangaroos' intraclub match.
“There was a little patch there he played on Lindsay Thomas, and he did well in a few one-on-one contents against Lindsay who’s pretty good in those situations.”
Now the number 41 will be waiting anxiously to hear if his name is read out for the club’s opening round NAB Cup fixtures next Friday.
