Defender Max Warren says striking the right balance between defence and offence will improve his chances of earning promotion off North's rookie list.

The 22-year-old, who has featured in every game for VFL affiliate North Ballarat so far this season, has taken on a playmaker-type role to complement his lock-down defensive task.

RELATED: Max Warren's player profile

Warren says he'd been able to evolve his game even further and make significant inroads from last season.

"Last year, it was more about being able to lock down on a certain player … but for me to play senior footy, I've got to be able to shut down a player and then be able to get on the end of it as well," Warren told NMFC.com.au on Tuesday.

"I've had a really good six weeks now where I've made sure that I'm defending at a good intensity, but then also getting off (my opponent).

"I'm taking off and not waiting for things to unfold, I'm almost making stuff happen – that's been the goal."

As part of his development at VFL level, Warren is assigned the opposition's most dangerous small or medium-sized forward each week.

North development manager Ben Dyer said Warren had embraced the extra responsibility in the Roosters' back six this season and was "building evidence" he could play on the best small forwards at VFL level.

"He's always been good at stopping an opponent; things like his body work off the ball and his ability to take best position on them has always been very strong," Dyer said.

"But what he's added to his game this year is he's more dynamic in the contest, so by that I mean, when he gets ball in hand he's cutting off the line and he's sharper with his movement.

"It's what he needed to add to his game."

Warren has played one match at the elite level – against the Brisbane Lions in round 15 last year – since being first selected by the Roos with pick No.10 in the 2011 rookie draft.

The 181cm backman tasted AFL football again in this year's NAB Challenge against Adelaide in Port Lincoln, playing the game on livewire forward Eddie Betts.

"Eddie shows week in, week out that he can be damaging, so for me, it was just about seeing where that level is and now striving to become as good a defensive player as he is an offensive player," Warren said.

Dyer echoed Warren's views and said the match-up on Betts proved to be the ultimate test for the youngster.

"It was an eye-opener for Max to start the season playing on a small forward of that calibre and just reinforced to him what he needed to do," Dyer said.

Under AFL rules, all clubs have the option of promoting a rookie-listed player after round 11, subject to total player payment requirements.

Rookies can also be upgraded when a senior-listed player is placed on the club's long-term injury list.

With experienced defender Nathan Grima (back) on the Roos' long-term injury list, a spot would be available for Warren or the other rookie-listed players to be promoted and then be eligible for senior selection.

Warren said the prospect of earning his spot on North's senior list was continuing to motivate him in every game.

"It gives you a glimmer of hope because sometimes you can find as a rookie that there isn’t a spot so you can fall into the trap of playing footy just for playing footy, but not actually striving to get into the team," he said.

Dyer said Warren had maintained a strong belief in his ability and had demonstrated it on the field so far this season.

"He's really resilient in that regard so when the opportunity does come, he'll be able to take it," he said.

"These days you're crying out for defenders that have the defend-first mentality.

"For that very reason, he hasn't been that far off the mark at match committee and he brings a number of attributes that would be handy in our team."