A growing contingent of North Melbourne's key men remain on limited duties in the Kanagroos' return to training this week, with sharpshooter Nick Larkey kept to running laps at Friday's session.
The Roos were put to the test under sweltering conditions at La Trobe University in what was a near three-hour session for Alastair Clarkson's men.
As many as ten players were placed on limited drills and mostly kept to running while the club were without their new crop of draftees - headlined by top picks Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma - due to the AFLPA's induction week at Marvel Stadium.
Larkey was tested with extensive running drills before mingling with fans for the second half of the session, with no clear discomfort showing for the Roos spearhead who's coming off a 71-goal season.
Griffin Logue has ramped up his workload as he continues to recover from an ACL injury sustained last July, taking part in a lengthy running drill alongside Tarryn Thomas and Jackson Archer after the trio started with the bulk of the rehab group.
That group includes Aidan Corr, Curtis Taylor, Luke McDonald, Eddie Ford and Cameron Zurhaar, with the latter able to partake in skills drills after easing into the session.
Forward-turned-defender Charlie Comben was limited at training and would mostly spend his time running laps.
Second-year midfielder Brayden George was one of three Roos sporting a fluorescent hat to represent non-contact, with the midfield-forward still recovering from a dislocated elbow.
Fringe ruckman Hamish Free and fellow key position talent Callum Coleman-Jones were also training under a non-contact plan.
The Roos have invited a host of VFL-listed players to help make up the numbers on the track, with former Hawk Connor Downie, recently cut Melbourne utility Deakyn Smith and exciting forward Sam Lowson among those partaking in the session.
In the absence of his co-captain, McDonald, Jy Simpkin was a vocal presence on the field often providing feedback and instruction to his playing group.
Young midfielder George Wardlaw was a standout at the session with his clean contested work and decision-making, adding to the signs he showed across his eight appearances last season.
In what is the teenager's first full/uninterrupted pre-season in the blue and white, Wardlaw looks settled into a midfield role alongside Simpkin and star onballer Luke Davies-Uniacke.
Rising Star winner Harry Sheezel is likely to continue his split between defence and midfield, often being the architect on the last line alongside new recruit Zac Fisher.
Another new arrival, Dylan Stephens, was also a highlight with his running capacity and link-up play, offering further excitement to Roos fans watching on.
Stephens is likely to slot onto a wing role and complement the Roos' gritty inside ball winners, with Bailey Scott expected to slot onto the other flank following his career-best season last year.
The aforementioned Thomas is expected to be fit in time for the second half of North Melbourne's pre-season fixture period as he recovers from a groin issue, adding to Clarkson's midfield plans for the year ahead after just 12 games in 2023.
The Kangaroos are set to face Collingwood and St Kilda at Arden Street and RSEA Park respectively from late February as part of their pre-season hitouts prior to a Round 1 trip to face GWS at GIANTS Stadium on Saturday, March 16.