Mason Wood powered home in the final lap of the Kangaroos' 2km hitout at Arden Street on Friday to run down early leader Trent Dumont and back up his win from the last pre-season.

Dumont burst from the start line and opened a huge advantage before fading but the wingman still hung on for second, ahead of former Power defender Jasper Pittard.

Kayne Turner, Jamie Macmillan, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Shaun Atley, Jy Simpkin, Tom Murphy, Robbie Tarrant and Joel Crocker were the next players in from the 'fast' group.

Aaron Hall, who took indefinite leave in the second half of the season to focus on his mental health, contested the club's time trial.

Wood and his senior teammates returned to training on Monday for coach Rhyce Shaw's first pre-season in charge.

"It was solid – it always is. We're three running sessions back and it doesn't get easier at all, but it was really well run by everyone and I think everyone improved on the first one they did," Wood said.

"(Dumont) went out real hard, but I just sort of wanted to sit, get one in, one back, and I had it in the end. I think 'Froggy' started to slow up because he led the whole way.

"(Our pre-season program is) just about different every year. If you're doing the same thing, you feel like you're going backwards a bit."

Wood, who will be a free agent next year, fit in a trip to Vietnam before returning for a campaign where he is set to again partner Ben Brown and Nick Larkey in attack.

He remains an intriguing part of North's forward line, given his mix of height, running ability, general athleticism and ability to produce something special.

The 26-year-old largely put his injury woes behind him to play a personal-high 18 matches this past season and kicked 21 goals but consistently excellent performances have eluded him.

Wood said Shaw had been "encouraging" to him personally and believed his approach would bring the best out of him.

That includes a stricter routine, from shot clocks at training to off-field preparation.

"He's very much about the little things and how they all add up – and that starts with the clock and a few other things and all the stuff we do day to day that can get on top of you," Wood said.

"Now there's an absolute zero policy on all that kind of stuff, and it makes it easy when you have a clock out there."