When North Melbourne’s backline was decimated by injury and illness in 2021, few players in the side stood taller for the team than Josh Walker.

Initially touted for a return to his traditional forward position last season, Walker was redeployed to assist Ben McKay in the key backline positions following injuries to the likes of Aidan Corr and Aiden Bonar, and illness sidelining former vice-captain Robbie Tarrant.

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With Callum Coleman-Jones strengthening the club’s ruck/forward stocks, and Aidan Corr finding fitness after his extended absence due to a toe infection, Walker has a clearer idea of where on the ground he’ll be playing than this time last year.

“I got swung around a little bit last year, but that was down to a few of the boys being out more than anything. The plan this year is to spend most of my time back.” Walker told North Media.

“Myself, Ben McKay and Corry (Aidan Corr) have the ability to play tall, and Corry and I can play a bit more medium sized and even pinch hit on the smalls.

“The good thing about this defensive group is we have good flexibilty with our defenders and we’ll be able to cover most line-ups we face off against."

Walker was in the final year of his contract at Arden Street after crossing from Brisbane ahead of the 2020 campaign, but his 21 games throughout the year - he only missed Round 4 due to a hamstring injury - saw him sign on at North.

“I was always really confident about staying at North and I never really doubted a deal was going to get done," he said. "Even though the deal was just for this season I’m keen to try and push that out a bit.”

The club’s defensive stocks have arguably undergone the biggest upheaval of any line over the off-season, with Tarrant's departure, Corr's newfound fitness, and the addition into the group of draftees Josh Goater, Miller Bergman and Jackson Archer.

While Corr’s inclusion feels like something of a new recruitment, none of the first-year defenders are typically key position sized, with all three more suited to matching up on small/medium opponents and providing strong ball-use out of defence, and Goater in particular a strong midfield option.

Walker says the new defenders, along with fellow draftees Jason Horne-Francis and Paul Curtis, are acclimatising well to life at North.

“The new boys seem to be fitting in really seamlessly which is a good thing. They’ve jumped right into the thick of it and are becoming part of the group pretty quickly, almost to the point you forget they’re first-year players,” he said.

“The thing I’ve noticed about all of them so far is their attitude. They’ve all come into the club with a really top mindset.

“They’re all really keen to learn and we’re trying to get them into as much game simulation, tactics and strategy as possible.

“I think they’ll all be great additions to the group and integrate really well. Hopefully we get to see all of them at AFL level this season.”

While the new draftees are getting stuck into their first ever pre-season, Walker is working hard as he heads into what will be his 11th season on an AFL list.

After making his senior debut for Geelong in 2012, he’s one of just nine players North’s list to have played over 100 games, and has quickly become one of North’s most senior and experienced campaigners.

Coming back into training at the start of last week, he, along with the other fifth year and onwards players, will have endured a two-week block of intensive training ahead of Christmas before returning in early January.

He says after so long in the system he’s aware of what he needs to do to get the most out of pre-season.

“There’s not a lot of time until we break for Christmas and then it’s only about a month until we’re getting into practice games, so you have to get the most out of each session,” he said.

“For me, I’m just aiming for consistency. I try not to miss a session when I can, and even though pre-season can be really difficult at times you just have to grind it out.

“The longer you can spend out there will help boost your form and consistency heading into Round 1, and that’s the main thing.

“Some of the younger boys who are pressing for a spot absolutely fly at this time of year, so you have to be on your game and match the intensity they bring.

“Everyone’s in a different spot. There are guys who are new to the club, guys who are fighting for a contract and guys who are pushing to get into the side. Everyone wants to put their best foot forward."