THE CONNECTION between North Melbourne's prized first-round draft picks of the last two years is strengthening with Jack Ziebell right behind Ben Cunnington's transition to the AFL.

Ziebell and Cunnington both played in Vic Country's under-16 side in 2007, were roommates for a trip to the Gold Coast and kept in touch when representing their TAC Cup clubs in 2008.

That year, Cunnington was also included as a bottom age player for a game with Vic Country's under-18 side and joined Ziebell for five days in Perth.

Ziebell said he saw a lot of himself in Cunnington, particularly with the pair sharing similar backgrounds, strapping builds and an aim to cement themselves in North's midfield.

"We're pretty similar inside type players," he said. "If I can help him in any way I can, I will try to do that and make him a better player.

"I knew him pretty well and I was very happy to see him come to North because he was the kind of player we really needed. I'm sure he'll be fantastic for us.

"Hopefully everything goes well, injuries stay out of it and we play some good footy together and have a bit of success."

Cunnington, from a dairy farm in Princetown on Victoria's Great Ocean Road, was selected by North at No.5 in November's NAB AFL Draft following his performances for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup competition and Vic Country in the under-18 championships.

Ziebell grew up in Wodonga in the state's north east, was playing against men in the Ovens and Murray League at 15 and moved to Melbourne as a boarder at Caulfield Grammar.

Juggling football commitments with Murray Bushrangers and Vic Country - where Cunnington would earn All-Australian honours too - Ziebell joined North at No.9 in the 2008 pool and was the eighth-youngest player on AFL lists last year.

A broken leg kept him from playing more than 10 matches.

While Ziebell is just four months older, Cunnington said his teammate set a standard with his professionalism.

"He's probably the most rated kid I've seen at under-18 level, so I've tried to follow him a bit," he said.

Ziebell said Cunnington had made a good impression in his short time at Arden Street, and had shown maturity to address a foot injury that could have developed into a stress fracture.

"He came into the pre-season a little bit underdone fitness wise, like I was [in my first year], but you get that," he said.

"It's pretty hard to say, 'I've got an injury' when you want to get fit. He's done the right thing and I'm sure he'll be better off come round one."

Ziebell added that the addition of eight new players through the recent national and rookie drafts meant spirits had been high within North's young squad.

Jack Ziebell averaged 65 points as a forward/midfielder in last year’s Toyota AFL Dream Team.