It's been over a year in the making, but Nick Larkey couldn't have been more impressive in his return to AFL level. 

The versatile forward was one of North’s best in the loss to the Power, booting three goals. 

“I was itching for a goal or a touch early,” Larkey told North Media.

“It’s nice to know that I can play at this level, and those little moments make you think that you belong here.”

Larkey is still yet to taste victory in the North colours, but said the Roos' second half was encouraging. 

“It’s obviously flattening to lose, but it was a positive rebound from what we had last week," he said. 

“It was a step in the right direction, and the leaders were great in getting us ready for it during the week.

“Even when we were down by 40-odd and then got on that roll, there was genuine belief that we could win the game, which was a great feeling.”

The number 20 was one of a few of North’s next generation to impress, with Tarryn Thomas and Cam Zurhaar also catching the eye.

“Tarryn was great and Zurhaar is so explosive," Larkey added.

"I thought Mason (Wood) was awesome as well, and he set up a lot of my opportunities inside the forward 50.”