Declan Mountford's AFL education is proving more an overhang cliff than a learning curve.
After earning praise from Gary Ablett for his battle with the Gold Coast star a week ago, the North Melbourne newcomer could line up on Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
Fyfe likes playing against North, racking up 19 contested possessions in round five at Subiaco when the Dockers beat them by five points.
Twice in the previous two seasons, Fyfe has had three-vote Brownlow games against the Kangaroos.
But Mountford is having an immediate impact as a defensive midfielder and has shown that he will not be overawed, regardless of the opponent.
After making his debut in round one, Mountford was recalled three weeks ago, when he responded by shutting down St Kilda star Jack Steven.
He then spent some time on Western Bulldogs playmaker Jason Johannisen before running with Ablett last weekend in the dual Brownlow Medallist's 300th game.
Ablett racked up 37 possessions, but Mountford was far from disgraced and the Suns star told him post-match it was a good battle.
"He learned a helluva lot last week - we were prepared to persist with Declan playing on Gary Ablett," said North coach Brad Scott.
"He'll certainly go into this pre-season with a new level of expectation, as to where his strength needs to be.
"Like a lot of players, he got a good lesson from Gary around the ball and was really surprised how strong Gary is.
"Given his stature, you wouldn't think he's as strong as he is ... we were prepared to persist with that (matchup)."
On Sunday, Daniel Nielson will join Mountford and five other teammates as North debutants this season.
The Kangaroos have not been terrible, but the Fremantle loss was one of four by five points or less, and those near-misses have cruelled their finals hopes.
Indeed, they are now second-last and only a game plus percentage ahead of Brisbane, who stunned Essendon last Sunday.
The Kangaroos have not finished last since 1972.
Meanwhile forward Cam McCarthy's suspension puts more heat on Fremantle teammate Shane Kersten, who was recalled for this match.
Kersten has only kicked 14 goals in 13 games since crossing from Geelong and he was dropped for last week's narrow home loss to St Kilda.
Another Dockers forward to watch will be 18-year-old Brennan Cox, who kicked his first AFL goal last Sunday in his third senior game.
There are big wraps on Cox, who was taken with the No.41 pick in last year's national draft.
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