Ed Vickers-Willis says an early Christmas gift has given him the perfect springboard into 2017.

Coming off two injury ravaged seasons and a few minor ‘clean-up’ operations post 2016, the talented young defender was able to get a serious amount of work under his belt before the break.

“The last session before Christmas was probably one of the bigger sessions I’ve ever done and that was a really solid session,” he recalled.

“I think we did about 13-and-a-half k [kilometres] out on the track with lots of high intensity running. The new football program [involves] a lot more game time out there on the track so it’s really preparing us well for February and the rest of the year.

“I had a few injuries and haven’t had the time on the track particularly in the pre-seasons. That’s been my focus this year, I had a few off-season surgeries just cleaning some things out but I’m feeling really strong and I’m doing full loads which is the main thing - to be out there.”

A changing of the guard at Arden Street is also giving Vickers-Willis and others plenty of motivation.

“That’s naturally going to happen when there’s player movement at the club. For me - if I can stay out on the track and really improve there’s going to be a spot there, but there’s a lot of work to be done before the games in February.”

The 20-year-old admits his fitness could be better but his main focus this year will be on his kicking and foot skills.

He said North’s young side is hungry to improve and expects the inexperienced players to make inroads by working together.

“We’re all in a similar boat and everybody can see that, but at the same time there’s a lot of us that haven’t had a game yet and a lot of us with similar experience. So we can help each other and learn from each other and still learn from the older guys with lots of experience. I think everyone’s in a really positive position this year.”

And according to Vickers-Willis, there have already been some standouts.

“Ryan Clarke and Trent Dumont in the midfield work so hard and they’re always in-and-under, so I really like the way they run and are really looking to open the game up through the middle and I think they’ve been really good at that.

“Also Sammy Durdin was really great out there today. He’s shifted down back and reading it really well and able to keep up with Waitey [Jarrad Waite] and some of the big forwards. So really looking forward to seeing what those guys can deliver this year.”