With the departure of Ben Brown, North Melbourne forward Nick Larkey is embracing the challenge of being the Roos’ number one target in 2021.

“I got a taste of what it might be like last year, it’s just about adding stuff to my game,” Larkey told North Media.

“I’ve been working on getting a bit stronger, working on my craft a little bit more and I think with ‘Browny’ gone, it's given us a different dynamic as well.

“A lot of other blokes have been able to step in which is really good for us.

“It's exciting out there, and I’m looking forward to getting into it.”

Having played the majority of his 29 career games to date as a second forward option, Larkey knows the onus will likely fall on him to provide a contest.

“It’s just preparing yourself for a big defender every week, and if it does come to me, I’ve got to be ready for it,” he said.

“It's a matter of being able to hold your own in those sorts of contests and competing against the best.”

Although he is still just 22-years-old, Larkey is one of the more experienced heads in the Roos’ exciting young forward-line.

“It's a good young list and there's a good young core in the playing group, especially with all the new players coming in this year,” he said.

“A lot of those boys, like Cam (Zurhaar), Curtis (Taylor), Jy (Simpkin) and the boys in that sort of age gap need to step up and lead a bit more.

“But we're all excited for that opportunity.”

With plenty of young faces joining the club in the 2020 trade and draft periods, Larkey is excited about what 2021 holds.

“We've got a good mix and we brought in a lot of pace,” he said.

“There's a lot of small, quick mids, like ‘Spice’ (Phoenix Spicer), ‘Stevo’ (Jaidyn Stephenson), Charlie Lazzaro, who has brought heaps to the forward line, and Eddie Ford moves really well.

“So it looks like a really great draft that just adds to previous years of what we're trying to build, with a bit more pace throughout the ground so we can move the ball a bit quicker, break a few more lines and make it easier inside of 50 when it comes in.”

The number 20 is enjoying what the new coaching group, led by David Noble, has brought to the table over pre-season.

“You feel like you're in good hands with ‘Nobes’ and all of his staff,” Larkey added.

“I've got Heath Younie as my forwards coach, and he's been great.

“He doesn’t want be too hands-on, he wants to facilitate us and nurture our ideas in the forward line and how we feel we can move best together.

“’Nobes’ has got a bit of an aura about him, which is really great as a coach.

“The game plan he’s implemented, everyone's really embraced it, and it's been working in our training.

"We get a chance this week to see how it fares against proper opposition."