A lack of continuity has made it harder for Aaron Mullett to reproduce his best form, but the running defender says pushing further up the ground this year has helped him enormously.

It has been a stop-start first half to the season for the 24-year-old, who has played five games for North in between separate stints – and two bye rounds – with VFL affiliate Werribee.

Mullett said he was finding his feet in the Roos' squad after taking some time to adjust to the increase in speed and intensity from VFL level.

"You don't have as much time as you do in the VFL and sometimes it just catches you off guard, and it definitely caught me off guard," Mullett told NMFC.com.au ahead of his sixth senior game for the season.

"In the VFL, you have a lot more time with the ball and you can weigh up your options, and I got caught out a few times by taking that little bit longer to kick."

With injuries to several North players, Mullett has been able to drift further up the field to the wing and even forward, running off his opponent and providing some dash.

The 184cm left-footer said "being adaptable" would help him recapture the form and attacking run he displayed during his breakout 2013 season.

"This year, I've been training on the wing a lot more than I have in defence," Mullett said.

"With a few injuries, it's been a good opportunity for me to play in a different role, which I've really enjoyed.

"It's good to be able to go into match committee knowing that I got a couple of positions I can play."

Mullett added he was continuing to work hard on his foot skills and tackling efforts at training as he aimed to become a regular in the Roos' squad.

"(My) kicking … has been a little bit down, so that's one focus I really want to step up this year," he said.

"Hopefully over the next few weeks, I can get that back to my best."