The 21-year-old was diagnosed with the injury ahead of North's season opener against Melbourne – initially meant to be his debut – and was set to spend up to six weeks on the sidelines.
However, chief of football Donald McDonald said that Anthony's latest scans had confirmed a shorter lay-off.
"The doctor said today (Tuesday) that the scans were better than we first thought, so it's healing really well," McDonald told kangaroos.com.au.
"In a couple of weeks' time he'll just do another precautionary scan and be right to resume training. That's two to three weeks earlier than we thought."
Because of inroads made during the pre-season, McDonald believes Anthony will need one or two weeks on the track before he can be considered for selection by VFL affiliate North Ballarat.
"If he gets through the training alright, he's just going to have to tweak his fitness up a little bit again – even though he's got a fantastic base" he said.
"Originally with the stress fracture you had to be off it for six and then there'd be another three-week period where he'd get back to full fitness again."
The midfielder wore a moonboot to aid his early recovery and McDonald said the injury had to heal naturally – with rest and without the strain of running.
North recruited 21-year-old Anthony at No.43 in November's NAB AFL Draft after three years' experience in the WAFL.
However, the news isn't so good for key forward prospect Robbie Tarrant, who has been stalled by right knee soreness.
No stranger to the medical room, Tarrant endured a third shoulder reconstruction – the first on his right shoulder – after injuring the joint early in the pre-season.
Twenty this month, Tarrant returned with North Ballarat's reserves side and had impressed at training before this setback.
"It could have been worse," McDonald said.
"He's still only a young fella. We always had a plan that he'd be more second half of the season anyway.
"He's just going to rest up for a week – he's already rested for one. It'll probably be another couple and then he'll be right to play again."
McDonald said the club had taken a careful approach with Tarrant given his age and history of injuries, but added that he could still push for a debut mid-year.
"They take time anyway," he said. "The reality is Lachie Hansen's in his third year and he's only playing consistent football now. Robbie's in a similar sort of boat.
"Tarrant's got a really well developed body so physically he's going to be alright and he's done all the running.
"He'll get four or five VFL games under his belt and I'm sure he'll start knocking on the door for senior selection."
