After an impressive pre-season, Sam Gibson was widely tipped to break into the North Melbourne senior side for Round 1 with a rookie promotion.

With an open spot on the senior list, competition was fierce for the upgrade and in the end Gibson just missed out to Aaron Mullett.

But it hasn't fazed the former Box Hill captain and his move to Werribee under the North Melbourne alignment has seen him continue to dominate the VFL. Talking to kangaroos.com.au, Gibson admitted that despite his good form with the Tigers, it wasn't all smooth sailing with his transition.

"There's so many intangibles in football between different groups. To go from Box Hill, where I was so comfortable and familiar with the game plan to all the tweaks at Werribee, it probably took me a few weeks before I started to feel comfortable.

"Just getting to know the guys, feeling comfortable around them and all the little differences in the game plan took a while. But having such a North-dominant side - I mean, we had 12 or 14 blokes out there on the weekend (against Geelong) - it makes it a lot easier to settle in."

Knowing he was close to a senior spot before missing out could have been tough for Gibson to deal with, yet he understands the realities of the North Melbourne list.

"It's such an even list. The guys from 23-28 and everyone really, it's all very close. I tried not to worry about it too much. Being a rookie I'm obviously limited in certain aspects so I just try to play as well as I can and if a spot opens up, that's great and I'll take my opportunity when it comes."

A string of heavy possession games for Werribee, including 40 last week, has shown Gibson has come to terms with his surroundings and is at peak form. Yet for all of that, in many ways he is stuck in football no-man's land.

"It's tough knowing that a lot of it (getting elevated) is out of my control. I can be playing as well as I can and perhaps a spot doesn't open up. I can't worry about that though and just have to focus on the things I can control.

While he can control his personal performances for Werribee, it's also an impressive reflection on Gibson's character that he has kept a positive outlook in the situation.

"Obviously there's a little bit of a element that I'm just doing what I was doing last year and you can feel that you haven't progressed, but I feel like I've improved my game this year - particularly defensively - compared to last year.

"I feel like it's still a big development for me. I was a late developer so I see myself now as similar to a lot of 21-year olds where I'm learning a lot now. As long as I'm improving at the VFL and not stagnating I'm happy with where I am at."

As it draws closer to the mid-season rookie elevation period, continued strong performances from Gibson would put him in the box seat for a spot in the senior list. With the resolve Gibson possesses, it would take a brave man to bet against him not achieving that AFL debut.