Draftee Ryan Clarke believes his last-minute inclusion for North last Sunday helped ease his nerves, adding his successful debut was in part due to the advice he received from fellow recruit Corey Wagner.

The 19-year-old was given the nod to take on West Coast after veteran Nick Dal Santo was a late withdrawal from the clash due to illness.

Clarke was told he would be lining up for the Roos on Sunday morning, just over an hour before the team bus left for Domain Stadium.

"I didn't have too long to worry and stress about it which was good I thought," Clarke told NMFC.com.au on Tuesday.

"Looking back, I had a pretty good sleep and wasn't stressed.

"I got told at quarter to 11 and then the bus drove off at 11:50, so I had an hour to get packed and get settled."

North's first-year players share a special friendship so it was only fitting that Wagner, who debuted in round 13, was on hand to witness the moment Clarke was told the news.

"Me and 'Wags' [Wagner] were just mucking around playing table tennis when I got told, so it was a pretty special moment him being there as well," Clarke said.

"It was good playing alongside Wags and he helped me out. He told me how he was feeling in his first game and (gave me) little tips on how he overcame his debut.

"With three boys coming from interstate [Wagner, Mitch Hibberd and Declan Mountford], we've bonded closely. We texted them the news straight away."

Clarke, who was recruited with pick No.31 in last year's national draft, collected 21 disposals against the Eagles in a promising display.

The hard-running midfielder said it did not take him long to become accustomed to the increase in speed from VFL level despite experiencing a sense of awe before the first bounce.

"I started on (the ground) which was pretty cool," Clarke said.

"I started next to (Eagles midfielder Chris) Masten and it was pretty surreal looking around the stadium and seeing ... players that I've always watched on TV and was now playing against.

"I remember my first touch, I slipped over on the wing … and then I got smothered so it wasn't the best first disposal, but I got involved pretty early which helped me settle."

The youngster added he would continue to work on his tackling pressure and body positioning to give himself the best chance of competing against the league's elite midfielders.

"Whether I'm playing at AFL or VFL level next week, I'll take confidence out of my first game and just grow as a player and assert himself," Clarke said.

"I felt pretty good out there, I wasn't too nervous and I felt comfortable."