Recruit Daniel Nielson has tested his progress against North's big forwards, matching up on Drew Petrie and Jarrad Waite at training on Monday.

The 18-year-old, who was selected with pick No.25 in last year’s draft, was put through his paces against the Roos’ two key forwards during game sense drills at Arden Street.

Nielson said he relished the challenge of coming up against the experienced pair, labelling it a “great experience”.

“You could say it was a bit surreal because when you grow up, you watch those players on the field and you’re like, ‘Imagine if I’m there’ and now it’s happening,” Nielson told NMFC.com.au after the session.

“When you’re out there, you can just tell how smart they are as forwards – the way they play, the way they move, the way they know where to go (and) when to go.

“That’s where I have to step up that bit more to come up to their level as well to combat their abilities and be able to use mine.”

The 193cm defender said he’s gleaned some advice from Petrie, in particular, and now has a stronger understanding of what to expect when lining up against the key forwards of the competition.

“I’ve tried a fair few times to smash into him (Petrie) and he comes back at me straight again,” Nielson said.

“He’s just said to me, ‘Really well done, that’s what I need and that’s good for your experience as well because you’re going to have to be doing that.’”

Nielson has impressed on the training track for the Roos this pre-season and has shown attributes of a ready-made AFL player.

“My number one (strength) is I’m a real competitor, I hate being beaten and that correlates to that defensive attitude,” Nielson said, citing his speed and agility as other strong points.

“I never want to be beaten so I’m going to be hard at the ball, be in the contest a lot (and) put myself under the ball.”

While the teenager is determined to make his first season in the AFL system a memorable one, he is taking a level-headed approach.

“Every person that gets drafted has the goal to debut in their first year and have an AFL game on their record,” he said.

“(I’m) just making sure I’m doing the right things and getting to that point (to) make sure I’m ready to combat that sort of thing, but I have a lot more to learn.

“Short term I’m just making sure that I’m on the track as much as possible (and) getting that experience.”