NORTH Melbourne could look to its own backyard to fill the remaining places on its rookie list with five players from its VFL affiliates invited to train with the club.

North Ballarat's Myles Sewell (22 years old), Stephen Clifton (23) and Derick Micallef (23), and Werribee's Scott Sherlock (20) and Kyle Hartigan (19) spent two days with the Roos this week, and will return for next Thursday and Friday's sessions.

Sewell, a member of the Roosters' three premiership teams and the winner of the 2009 JJ Liston Trophy as the VFL's best and fairest player, was overlooked in last week's NAB AFL Draft but has been strongly linked to the Greater Western Sydney franchise.

The Giants have the first eight picks in the December 7 rookie draft, with North to make its two selections at 17 and 34.

Fellow midfielder Clifton, another triple premiership player and the joint winner of this year's Liston Trophy, said he had been buoyed by the punts taken on mature-age trio Michael Barlow (Fremantle), Alex Silvagni (Fremantle) and James Podsiadly (Geelong) in last year's draft.

So impressive were those players in their transition from the VFL to the AFL in 2010 that they have been elevated to their clubs' senior lists for 2011.

"[They] have indicated that there is an upside to drafting a mature-age player. They've spent longer at a higher level and have built their bodies up to a stage where they could probably compete at the next level," Clifton said.

"Hopefully a few get an opportunity next Tuesday from the VFL and other state leagues."

Prospects for mature-age players were also strengthened when Sewell and Clifton's North Ballarat teammate, Cameron Richardson (22), was pre-listed by Gold Coast and traded to North Melbourne last month.

Clifton, who has had minimal interest from other AFL clubs, said it was his dream to play at the top level but that he would be prepared to address his deficiencies in the VFL if he wasn't recruited.

"I've been working on the outside area of my game - the run and carry and handball receives - because that's been seen as an area that's holding me back," he said.

Micallef enjoyed a breakout year playing mainly at half-forward, while Sherlock has switched between defence and the forward line with an aim to push into the midfield. Hartigan is a key defender.

Also training with North Melbourne is Matthew O'Dwyer, who played seven games in four seasons with the Sydney Swans before he was delisted last month.

The Roos completed a two-and-a-half four session in sticky conditions at Arden Street on Friday, with Daniel Wells a standout in the endurance running drills.

Proving he is in close to the best physical condition of his career, Wells ran down Lachie Hansen and Richardson, who are among the club's key performers over distance.