VFL recruit Chris Jansen believes North’s 24-man VFL squad is capable of anything in 2018.

Jansen, who has moved to Victoria after stints in both the NEAFL and SANFL, says the Roos’ mix of youth and experience is more than capable of matching it with the best.

“It looks very good and we’re all very happy with the squad,” Jansen told North Media.

“We’ve got quite a young group, but also got a few experienced state league players from various competitions around Australia.

“I think our top ten to 12 players are going to be really good, and obviously our 12 to 24 are very strong as well.

“It’s just going to depend which AFL players we get back each week, but we’re extremely excited about our season and we are expecting big things this year.”

For Jansen, this is his first time playing in an AFL-connected side, and the 22-year-old can already see the benefits of the system.

“The professionalism and the way our training and gym sessions are structured are extremely professional, and that’s what we came here for,” Jansen said.

“A lot of us as players wanted that level of intensity and the attributes that these coaches can teach us, and I think it’s only going to help us going forward.”

With North’s VFL season-opener set for April 15, it gives Jansen and other first-time VFL players an opportunity to get a feel for the competition’s style of play.

“We got a chance to play some match simulation against the AFL boys on Friday, and that was an excellent standard with a really high intensity, but from everything I’ve heard, the VFL and SANFL are very similar in terms of quality, just a little bit different in game styles,” he added.

“The SANFL is a very contested brand of footy, as opposed to what I’ve heard about the VFL which is a bit more skillful.”

Jansen will help guide the Roos’ younger heads, taking on a coaching role to go with his playing duties.