Small forward Kayne Turner says any uncertainty regarding his place in North’s 22-man squad each week doesn’t affect his planning and preparation for games.

The 19-year-old was named emergency in the Roos’ recent round six and seven matches and was used as the substitute in two of his five appearances so far this season.

Turner said he approaches each game as if he will take the field, as was the case with the side’s trip to Hobart a fortnight ago.

“If it was going to be a really wet day then I was a good chance of playing (against Richmond),” Turner told NMFC.com.au on Wednesday.

“I still went down there with a similar mindset that I might still be playing. When I woke up (on) game day it wasn’t raining, but I still thought I was a bit of a chance with a few rain clouds around.

“It’s a different feeling travelling away with the team and not being able to play.”

Turner said he’s had to adapt to the rigours of playing at the elite level and uses ice baths as a vital part of his routine to help him achieve maximum recovery.

“It’s about doing everything you need to do early on in the week because it makes it so much easier for you later in the week when you’re coming up to your next game,” he said.

“I’m not the biggest fan of ice baths but they help a lot. I like to have at least one or two of them during the week.”

Last Sunday, Turner took part in his first VFL game for Werribee since last July, finishing with 12 touches in about 70 per cent of game time playing solely up forward.

While most of his efforts – particularly his defensive pressure – didn’t show up on the stat sheet, the 11-gamer gave himself an honest appraisal of his contribution.

“I found myself caught out on the far side of the field,” Turner said.

“After chatting to ‘Browny’ (senior development coach Gavin Brown) and looking over the vision, he saw that there were a lot more opportunities for me to get a few more touches but also to help out the team in better positions.”

After making his AFL debut in round 20 last year against Greater Western Sydney, the 180cm livewire notched six games in his debut season, including the Roos’ three finals.

On field, Turner said he would ideally love to be taking part in the 22-man squad on a weekly basis and he speaks highly of his fellow small forwards Lindsay Thomas, Robbie Nahas, Shaun Higgins and Brent Harvey, labelling them “great leaders in their own way”.

But the youngster gives Thomas the most glowing endorsement.

“He’s been my mentor for the last year, I like to go and watch his vision and he sometimes sits down and watches mine with me,” Turner said.

“He gives me a lot of feedback and advice.”