Mid-sized forward and No.35 draft pick Paul Curtis

A natural medium-sized forward, Paul Curtis's versatility within the forward line lends itself well to the modern game.

His 185cm frame coupled with natural evasiveness and goal sense has made him a difficult match-up for opponents throughout his young career, and though he’s still early into his AFL life, he’s come to North Melbourne with a clear aim in mind.

“My big goal is to play Round 1, and if I can’t achieve that then obviously the biggest thing I want to do this season is get into the AFL side,” No.35 draft pick Curtis told North Media.

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“I really want to play at that level and see what it’s like as soon as I can, because the sooner I know the quality of it, the more I think I can improve.

“I’m definitely a forward, but I think possibly moving into the midfield is a little bit of a long term goal. I know I need to build up my endurance and add a bit of size, but I can see it happening down the line.

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Curtis and his fellow draftees were back among the larger training group on Friday, after attending an induction camp earlier in the week.

The five first-year players, along with 2021 mid-season draftee Jacob Edwards, were afforded the time and resources by the club to not only take a step back from the rigours of professional football, but form closer relationships among themselves.

“It was a good bonding session, honestly,” Curtis said.

“We used it as a chance to get to know each other really well, and some of the coaches came down too so we got to get to know them away from footy.

“We spoke a lot about ourselves while we were away, mainly about our backgrounds and how our stories have brought us here.

“We also did some other activities that were designed to challenge us and bring us closer. It was good, but it was also good to get back to the main group today.”

Curtis is the latest addition to the youngest line on North’s list, with forward leaders Cam Zurhaar and Nick Larkey boasting just 115 games between them.

Along with the likes of Jack Mahony and fellow former Western Jet Eddie Ford, Curtis can slot into a small- or medium-sized pressure forward role, with his average of 3.7 tackles per game last year indicating a desire to pressure opponents.

Compared to defensive stalwarts Jack Ziebell, Aidan Corr and Josh Walker, or midfield maestros Jy Simpkin, Hugh Greenwood and Ben Cunnington, North’s forward group boasts no true veterans of the game, but Curtis says they’re using that to their advantage. 

“Everyone’s involved in everyone’s improvement,” he said.

“The bigger bodies down there like Larkey and Zurhaar have been really helpful in directing us all and helping some of us younger boys with our running patterns. 

“It’s a young group down there, but I’m excited to learn from them all, and I’m excited to learn from everyone else on the list."