David Noble has guaranteed Jared Polec a spot in North Melbourne's AFL season opener as the dashing wingman attempts to reignite his career.
A multi-million dollar recruit from Port Adelaide in 2018, Polec was removed from the Kangaroos' senior list at the end of last year after three disappointing seasons at Arden Street.
The 29-year-old was given a reprieve via the rookie draft and, according to coach Noble, has responded well to the club's list management call over summer.
"It's a hard pill to swallow, that one ... you understand it doesn't sit comfortably with guys, particularly the public sentiment that comes with it," Noble said.
"I'm really proud of the way that he's come back and the shape that he's in.
"What he adds is he's a really intelligent guy when it comes to the football element of our game.
"We've asked him to take on some mentoring of some younger guys in regards to the wing role and we've been really pleased with what he's done through there.
"So I'm hoping that his year will continue to extend and deliver some benefits for not only him but for us as well."
Polec continued his preparation for the new season with a strong showing in Sunday's 31-point practice match defeat to Sydney and is a certainty to play in round one against Hawthorn at the MCG.
"I think he's delivered what we've asked him to do," Noble said.
"We've taken some time with him through the program because he has had some soft tissue (injuries).
"I think Kevvie (high performance boss Kevin White) has done a teriffic job there in preparing him and getting him to that point."
No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis is another certain starter against the Hawks but will be made to bide his time in the forward line before progressing to the midfield.
The 18-year-old kicked two goals against the Swans, having proved himself an attacking threat in the SANFL with South Adelaide last year.
"He handles himself really well and it's not that he's not ready, it's just the rigour of constant stoppage, stoppage, stoppage," Noble said.
"You just don't want them to get too beat up around the ball too early.
"When he goes forward he can catch it, he's great on the ground ... he can be a bit of a tool and a bit of a weapon for us going forward."
Noble faces a selection headache when picking talls to partner key target Nick Larkey, declaring his intention to use two of Todd Goldstein, Tristan Xerri and Callum Coleman-Jones in ruck-forward posts.
Trade recruit Coleman-Jones had scans on a knee injury in pre-season but was cleared of structural damage and is available for selection in round one.
Tough forward Cam Zurhaar will play against Hawthorn on March 20 after sitting out the Sydney clash with general soreness.
