Draftee Ben McKay says he's transitioned well to life at North, but admits his fitness levels and physical maturity have been strong areas of focus since being drafted.
The 18-year-old, who was recruited with pick No.21 in last year's national draft from TAC Cup side Gippsland Power, caught the attention of the Roos' recruiters with his ability to perform key roles at either end of the ground.
McKay said he'd adjusted well to the AFL system despite encountering some obstacles along the way.
"It's been a pretty hectic four months. You've got to transition not just your footy life but your life in general," McKay told NMFC.com.au on Tuesday.
"Moving away from home (Warragul) and getting settled into life in the city is another big challenge aside from the whole footy side.
"But the footy's been really enjoyable and I'm learning a lot and getting bigger in the gym."
McKay said the countless hours he'd spent in the gym would allow him to build an adequate amount of upper body strength before being thrust into action.
"The physio crew and the boys in the gym [strength and conditioning staff] have said that I've got to put on a little bit of weight and muscle before they let me go, and it's a little bit of protection of being a raw body," he said.
The 199cm tall's fitness levels and ability to constantly perform on the training track were also areas of concentration in his first pre-season campaign.
"It's not going to take just one year, it's going to take multiple years to get it all down pat but I'm learning things as I go and trying to improve," McKay said, citing the sharp increase in intensity compared to TAC Cup level.
North director of football Geoff Walsh reinforced McKay's comments, saying the youngster's physical development remained a priority.
"We've focused on getting his strength up because for a guy who's going to be playing either key forward or key back, he's going to need to be able to hold his ground and compete body-on-body," Walsh said.
"Right now, his body maturity says that we need to put some fairly intense weight work, and that's a thing that will get better season after season."
McKay's twin brother, Harry, also found a new home on draft night, joining Carlton courtesy of its No.10 first-round pick.
Although many would naturally draw parallels between the twins' football development, it's worth noting that Ben was exposed to less game time in 2015 compared to his navy blue brother.
Ben featured in 10 matches for Gippsland Power last year, with his first appearance coming in round nine, while Harry played a total of 18 games, including 13 matches for Gippsland and five games for representative side Vic Country.
Walsh said McKay had shown good signs in his short time at Arden Street despite his limited game time last season.
He added that McKay wouldn't take part in the Roos' final two NAB Challenge matches, but would be available for selection in time for VFL affiliate Werribee's season-opener.
"As a big man, we've made sure that we've brought him along slowly," Walsh said.
"He didn't have a great grounding in the TAC Cup, in that he wasn't in that system very long, so in terms of training at elite levels, this is all very new to him.
"We've been really pleased with some of the efforts he's produced in the match simulation that we've had here at different times."
