North speedster Shaun Atley says a great mix of youth and experience in the North Melbourne line up will ensure the Roos are competitive in 2017.

With 11 new players joining the club in the off-season, Atley said training remained at a high standard, with the playing group knowing there were no guarantees about who lines up in the royal blue and white in round one.

“I guess now there is a lot more youth here, so it just gives these guys an opportunity,” Atley told the RSN Breakfast Club.

“Training has been very competitive so far, I think deep down blokes know there are spots there and they have the chance to take them.”

And while there has been plenty of new faces in the changerooms, Atley said he was confident North fans would like what they see this year.

“We’ve still got a certain number of 100, 150, 200 game players here. You look at the Bulldogs last year with their young list they were actually able to go and win a Premiership, so that drives us a bit.”

There has also been change in the club’s leadership with Jack Ziebell named captain in the pre-season and Atley said he has already made his mark on the team.

“Jack’s a great leader, he’s been in the leadership group for a few years and it kind of already felt he was a bit of a captain anyway,” the 24-year-old said.

“He hasn’t changed too much, he’s got a bit of a different style to Andrew (Swallow). It’s going to be good for the club to have Jack leading it.”

With the club’s first JLT Community Series match fast approaching, the practice matches are coming thick and fast at Arden Street.

After a four goal display last week, Atley said one of the club’s newest recruits would be the one to watch in 2017.

“Nathan Hrovat had a good little game the other day, he’s been a good pick up from the Bulldogs,” the number 18 added.

“He’s not afraid to speak his mind, which is a good thing, and he’s settled in really well. Some of his game play the other day, how hard he runs and his ability to get to the fall of the ball is really exciting for fans.”