North Melbourne selected small forward Lachy Dovaston with pick No.16, after trading into the first round of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.

Here are five things to know about our newest Roo.

1. He's a high-calibre small

Dovaston, who stands 178cm, went into the 2025 NAB AFL draft rated by many pundits as this year's outstanding small forward.

From Blackburn in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, he dazzled at under-18 level, kicking over 50 goals across all competitions this season, while earning All-Australian U18 selection and a spot in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year.

The Kangaroos had no hesitation calling his name when he was available at pick No.16, after they had traded into the draft's first round thanks to a live pick swap with Carlton.

2. He's a self-described 'pest', with swagger

Dovaston earned his first-round selection thanks to his outstanding junior results and an elite athletic ability that delivered the fastest agility test at the 2025 national combine and the fourth-fastest ever recorded.

Now he's made it onto an AFL list, he dreams of lighting up footy's biggest stages. He doesn't mind a celebration as flamboyant as his haircut, and can't wait to get the Kangas crowd going.

"I play with a bit of swagger and a bit of confidence, which I think is good," he has said. "I'm a pest … but I also bring the goalkicking and defensive pressure and being clean."

3. He brings his own kind of wizardry

A forward with a flowing mullet and a bag of tricks, Dovaston has been compared from a young age with another Eastern Ranges product with swagger, Hawthorn's Nick 'Wizard' Watson.

"I've heard the comparison (with Watson) since I was 16, training as a bottom-ager at Eastern when he was top age," Dovaston told the Age in an interview in his draft season.

"But I’m not the next Nick Watson. I’m the first Lachy Dovaston."

4. His pressure game is strong

As an under-ager at Vic Metro and Ranges last season, Dovaston spent much of his time in defence. It was a calculated move by his coach Lauren Morecroft, aimed at developing the pressure side of Dovaston's game.

It's paid dividends, with recruiters impressed by the small forward's tenacity along with his natural pace.

Shinboner of the Century Glenn Archer presented Dovaston with his North Melbourne guernsey on Wednesday night, and Dovaston will be hoping he can bring some of Archer's trademark grit as he hopes to carve out a successful career as a Roo.

5. He'll arrive ready to push for an early debut

Dovaston learned his craft against older, bigger bodies as an under-aged junior player, and arrives at North Melbourne having already had a taste of senior football.

That came at VFL level for the Box Hill Hawks against the Bulldogs in Round 20 this year. He was lively in the top-of-the-table clash, booting 1.3 from 18 disposals and five marks.

Carry that form into his pre-season at Arden St, and he could be eyeing an AFL debut in his opening season with the Kangaroos.