North Melbourne premiership winner and media personality David King has branded a young Blues midfielder the next Sam Mitchell.

Zac Fisher, who is just 19 years of age, was the underrated star against the Tigers, finishing with 21 disposals and a goal, and gifting the Blues some run on the outside.

โ€œZac Fisherโ€™s got this deft touch by foot, he can cut you in half by kicking the ball 20 meters itโ€™s a little bit like Sam Mitchell used to do,โ€ King told SEN's Whateley on Monday.

โ€œThis kid is going to be a star, heโ€™s only a lightweight, but heโ€™s going to be a ripper.โ€

The Blues raced out of the blocks early in the opening game of the season, piling on five unanswered goals to lead the reigning premiers, 30-1 early in the first quarter.

Yet, while the Blues were unable to hold on, King has praised the team's effort to begin 2018.

โ€œThey were in a winning position for the bulk of the night, they hung in, but when the moments were there they didnโ€™t quite take them," King said.

โ€œThe win by Richmond has been undersold, the Blues were fantastic.

โ€œTheyโ€™re making a lot of right decisions and we just have to accept theyโ€™re a team learning how to win, but they did kick 15 goals so itโ€™s a big start.โ€

The Blues will face Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium this weekend, to hopefully open their account.