Second-year midfielder George Wardlaw gave North Melbourne fans a glimpse of what might lie ahead as the Kangaroos held their official 2024 intraclub match on Wednesday morning.

Wardlaw was among the standouts in a high-scoring affair taking place on a newly resurfaced Arden Street Oval.

Teams were split into Blue and Yellow, with Blue being the stronger of the two line-ups. Players were switched around at each interval, but it was Blue that took out a 64-point victory.

Onballer Wardlaw was one of the best afield, showcasing his power over all four quarters.  He continually won one-on-ones and smashed through a second-quarter goal to go along with his many possessions.

Working closely alongside him was Luke Davies-Uniacke, who booted two majors of his own, including the game's opener. His trademark side-steps coming out of stoppages were constant, while his early combos in close quarters with Jy Simpkin helped the Blue team assert dominance.

Toby Pink made a strong start for Blue, reining in a couple of tough grabs. Young defender Wil Dawson took another step forward in his development, finishing the day with a handful of key spoils and intercepts.

The Yellow team, led by Will Phillips and Liam Shiels in the guts, made life difficult for Blue throughout the opening stages, applying plenty of pressure across the park.

Cooper Harvey was a beneficiary and goaled in the first quarter before getting involved in another attacking chain to expertly set-up Kade De La Rue (VFL) for his first.

Harvey went onto goal in every quarter to finish with four in total - two for Yellow and two for Blue.

The Blue team begun to find its groove after quarter-time, breaking the game open at every opportunity.

Cam Zurhaar roved a pack to perfection to dribble home the first goal of the second period. He went onto to register a four-goal haul, as did vice-captain Nick Larkey who was deadly accurate in the final term, kicking three.

Colby McKercher, Harry Sheezel, and Charlie Lazzaro were the key drivers of some quick ball movement from defence to forward 50. Sheezel was patient and creative coming out of the backline, while no.2 draft pick McKercher barely put a foot wrong when charging forward and disposing of the ball.

Lazzaro continued to impress with his ability to find space and become dangerous.

Dylan Stephens worked his way into the match following the main break and snuck a goal home from the 50m arc after his kick somehow managed to avoid anyone else’s fingertips.

Soon after, he capitalised on a loose ball and sent another through the sticks with a shot off the deck.

Blake Drury worked hard and earned several shots at goal playing as a half-forward, while Jaidyn Stephenson was reading the packs well all day.

Tom Powell put in a strong final-quarter shift and notched a goal and an assist in a free-flowing period. He set up a Stephenson goal with a looping handball into space, before a fortuitous bounce and some solid bodywork from Larkey saw Powell hit the scoreboard himself.

Continuing his return to competitive football as a Roo, Brayden George found some of the ball in his limited game time and forced a handful of turnovers in his role as a half-back.

Charlie Comben, Curtis Taylor, and Darcy Tucker were also on limited game time.

VFL-listed players

Tall forward Tyler Sellers found pockets of space through the contest and came away with three goals, while Charlie Harrop stood out, also tallying a trio of majors.

Ben Davis was solid performer from a VFL perspective, as was Sam Lowson who spent time on the ball and in the forward line.

BLUE         4.2  11.5  16.8  24.8 (152)
YELLOW   2.3  4.4  6.10  13.10 (88)

STARTING TEAMS
Blue: Bergman, Wardlaw, Drury, K. Dawson, Pink, Comben, McKercher, Sheezel, Goater, Tucker, Xerri, Powell, Davies-Uniacke, Lazzaro, Stephens, Stephenson, Simpkin, Duursma, Coleman-Jones, Larkey, Zurhaar

Yellow: Harvey, Hansen jnr, Maley, Phillips, Shiels, Taylor, Hardeman, W. Dawson, Nyuon, George, VFL - Davis, Huggard, Butler, Lowson, Bath, Sellers, De La Rue, Downie, Lord, Lienert, Smith, Murphy, Trembath, Harrop, Hope

Absent: Curtis (ankle), Greenwood (ankle), Scott (calf), Free (concussion), Logue (knee), Thomas (away), Goad/McDonald/Archer/Fisher/Corr/Ford (reconditioning)

GOALS
Larkey 4, Zurhaar 4, Harvey 4, Sellers (VFL) 3, Harrop (VFL) 3, Stephenson 2, Davies-Uniacke 2, Duursma 2, Stephens 2, Lord (VFL) 2, Bath (VFL) 2, De La Rue (VFL) 2, Coleman-Jones, Powell, Wardlaw, Drury, Lowson (VFL)