North Melbourne sophomore Cooper Harvey has put his name forward for Round 1 after a strong outing at the Kangaroos' Wednesday intra-club, with fellow forward Jaidyn Stephenson also among the morning's best performers as Alastair Clarkson's side continues to take shape.
Spending his time on both sides as the Roos tested the 'possibles' (yellow) against the 'probables' (blue) at Arden Street, Harvey came away with four goals to level incumbent attackers Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar as the leading scorers.
The Roos father-son had an early impact in yellow and would eventually switch colours after causing headaches for the opposition with his lively presence and pressure in the front half.
Stephenson managed a pair of majors himself, but it was his conduit play that stood out across all four quarters as the former Magpie was often part of the last link in scoring chains for the blue team.
Pushing up the field and offering plenty of run and damage on the transition, Stephenson has added to a strong pre-season in his club's final intra-club ahead of a practice match with his old side Collingwood next week.
A clean goal on the run capped off a formidable morning for the 25-year-old, who found some competition in Harvey.
Fourth-year onballer Tom Powell also drifted into a half-forward role while sharing duties at centre bounces, with the big-bodied ball winner also among the best at match simulation, coming away with plenty of touches and a goal.
Charlie Lazzaro was another who was a constant presence in the middle as he looked to add to his bow entering his fourth season.
Young gun George Wardlaw was also among the strongest performers in the middle, with main man Luke Davies-Uniacke also a step above in the early stages to set the tone, joining Powell and Wardlaw on the scoreboard with a pair of goals himself.
Davies-Uniacke was one of 12 multiple goalkickers across the two sides, with draftee Zane Duursma and recruit Dylan Stephens also coming away with a pair of majors. VFL-listed talent Tyler Sellers and Charlie Harrop booted three goals each.
Clarkon's battle to settle on a backline for Round 1 might've been made easier by delisted free agency addition Toby Pink's strong outing across the last line for both teams.
The former Sydney-listed stopper held his own in his latest dress rehearsal, likely edging out Bigoa Nyuon for a Round 1 for the time being. Kallan Dawson also impressed as he too looks to cement a place in Clarkson's plans, while forward-turned-defender Charlie Comben is another who is right in the mix for a rearguard role.
The Roos' fringe defenders have looked to step up in the absence of Griffin Logue and Aidan Corr (ankle), with the injured pair among a long list of outs on Wednesday.
Hugh Greenwood (ankle), Luke McDonald (hamstring), Logue (knee), Bailey Scott (calf), Zac Fisher (hamstring), Paul Curtis (ankle), Corr (ankle), Tarryn Thomas (personal), Jackson Archer (groin), Eddie Ford (ankle) and Hamish Free (concussion) did not participate.
No.2 draft selection Colby McKercher was a shining light across half-back alongside reigning Rising Star winner Harry Sheezel, with the Tasmanian looming as a lock for the Roos' season opener against GWS given Fisher's current absence.
North Melbourne would've been pleased to see second-year forward Brayden George get through the intra-club session unscathed after a heavily interrupted last two years. An ACL injury and elbow surgery have kept the powerful attacker on the sidelines for most of the past 18 months, with the 20-year-old now training at full tilt.
A crunching tackle on Wardlaw was a particular highlight for the young Roo.
Wingman Darcy Tucker was busy early to make his own selection case, with Scott's injury opening up a chance for the former Fremantle midfielder to play Round 1.
The intra-club session ended 152-88 in favour of the blue side, with a near 40-minute final term coming as a result of a 14-goal quarter.
A total of 37 goals were kicked across the session.
Multiple Goalkickers: Larkey 4, Harvey 4, Zurhaar 4, Sellers* 3, Harrop* 3, Stephenson 2, Davies-Uniacke 2, Duursma 2, Stephens 2, Bath* 2, Lord* 2, De La Rue* 2
*Denotes VFL-listed player
