Four years after they were teammates at the Belconnen Magpies in the NEAFL, Jordan Harper and Chris Jansen have reunited at Arden St ahead of North’s maiden season in the VFL.

“Being back together is awesome,” Harper told North Media

“We grew up together, played cricket together, played footy together, pretty much did everything together.

“Now to be here back here at North and living together … it’s kind of funny how it’s turned out and I’m sure it’s going to be a great year with Chris.”

Previously at the Canberra Demons, Harper jumped at the opportunity to move south and test himself against some of the best.

“The opportunity to play with such a great club like North Melbourne, and that AFL-aligned club in the VFL, is just too good to turn away,” Harper said.

“To test myself at a higher level in the VFL is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I think North is the best place for my footy and my personal development.

“I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to play against that high-quality opposition every week.”

Despite not having played a VFL game, Harper’s new teammates have been quick to brief him on what to expect come North’s season-opener on April 15.

“From what I’ve heard it’s just more of a contested style of footy, whereas in the NEAFL it’s more open with the bigger grounds,” he said.

Despite coming second in the NEAFL’s MVP count last year, Harper knows there are some areas of his game he can work on.

“I’ve still got plenty to work on obviously and I’ll continue to work on those things, but I’ll just aim to really show my strengths this year,” he revealed.

“My spread from the contest and ability to accumulate the ball are the things I pride myself on, and probably what got me here to North in the end.”

The 24-year-old is one of the more experienced players in the newly assembled VFL squad, and is prepared to step up as a leader this season.

“Some of the younger guys are around the 18 and 19-year-old mark and just coming out of the draft process,” Harper said.

“With the experience I’ve had in the past in Canberra, and coming under David Loader (VFL Senior Coach) and the other coaches, they’re only going to push me to embrace that role, and hopefully I continue to do that and impart some wisdom on the younger guys.”

As for the expectations for 2018, Harper believes the sky is the limit.

“At this stage we’re looking pretty promising and there’s no limit as to where we can go,” he added.

“Finals is where we want to be, and hopefully that’s the same for the AFL guys.”