Dean Laidley couldn't have asked for much more from the young utility after he racked up 10 kicks, 3 handballs and 7 marks.
"We've found another good footballer, who works hard, does the right thing, very coachable, he's been a real project Ben Warren," Laidley said after the match.
There was an air of confidence about the way Warren played, but the 20 year-old had a reality check before the game when he ran out in front of a 33,000 strong crowd.
"I came to the ground and got pretty nervous then, and there was a fair few butterflies; it was great, it was amazing to play in front of that many people, so I'm very happy," Warren said.
The former 5th-round draft pick started like he was still feeling those pre-game jitters, his first kick within the opening two minutes was a clanger. However he followed that up with two marks inside 50 and had six second quarter possessions.
"It was a totally different game to the VFL. I was just lucky to get a couple of touches early, and felt a bit at home," Warren added.
While Jack Ziebell has attracted most of the hype at North Melbourne in 2009, Dean Laidley never had any doubts about the potential of Warren after two seasons in the VFL.
"We drafted him and I think he made it only by a couple of days as a 17 year-old. He was very, very young, very, very raw and you see that product today. Full credit to the development coaches. He looked pretty comfortable out there today," Laidley said.
"I knew it was going to be different and I know it was going to step up a level after watching it for two years and being involved with the club," Warren said.
Warren will be hoping to keep his spot for North Melbourne's vital Round 5 clash against Richmond this Saturday night at Docklands.
