The 2021 AFL season is set to be a year of growth and learning for a young list according to North Melbourne coach David Noble.

Noble was appointed as head coach in November 2020, taking over what is now the third youngest list in the competition.

Noble says despite the youth of the group, he is not intimidated by chairman Ben Buckley’s aspirations to be playing finals football as soon as possible.

“We welcome the fact that we want to be a club that’s aspiring to play finals,” Noble told AFL Tonight.

“We’re really keen to continue to grow our list and develop a game plan where we play finals … we want to chase success.”

With youth and speed becoming the focus of North’s list changes, Noble says the decision to build their future midfield through the 2020 draft was a logical one.

North drafted Will Phillips with pick three, Tom Powell with pick 13 and Charlie Lazzaro with pick 36, all of whom are capable at running through the midfield.

“We were really clear with where we wanted to go with the midfield … we certainly felt in that discussion it was an area we wanted to build through,” Noble said.

“Tom Powell and Charlie Lazzaro have really put their hands up for selection … [Will Phillips] had a run against the Hawks last week and looked really well and capable.

“We tend to forget Will Phillips hadn’t played since 2019, he didn’t play at all last year so we just needed to be patient with him in pre-season … he looks to be in a really good position.”

With the addition of talented youth on the field, there has also been an addition of talented experience in the coaches box, with Paul Roos joining the club in the lead up to the 2021 season.

Roos brings nearly 300 games of head coaching experience to the table and won the 2006 Premiership with Sydney.

He and Noble have an existing professional relationship, having played together at Fitzroy in 1991.

“Paul sits in the box as an independent observer … he’s been really good as a set of eyes for us to run across with areas we’re trying to grow in,” Noble said.

“He knows the direction we want to take, so therefore he’s able to provide input that may result in some adjustments each week … he helps with feedback for us coaches in regards to how our messaging gets through.

“He comes with some long-term view and scope as we look to improve our list going forward.”