NORTH Melbourne's three 2014 draftees have not lost any self belief despite failing to play one AFL game between them in their first two seasons.

North selected Sam Durdin (pick No.16), Daniel Nielson (No.25) and Ed Vickers-Willis (No.36) with its only selections in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, and all three have had injury-plagued starts to their careers at Arden St.

Nielson has had the worst run. After rupturing his left anterior cruciate ligament late in his first pre-season, the key defender returned to play eight VFL games last year, but his 2017 pre-season has been disrupted by quad troubles.

Durdin and Vickers-Willis both suffered season-ending shoulder injuries in 2015 that limited them to a handful of VFL games, but they returned – Vickers-Willis after a second shoulder reconstruction in December 2015 – to play 14 and 13 matches respectively for North's affiliate Werribee last year.

This pre-season, Durdin and Vickers-Willis have enjoyed their first taste of senior football, both showing promising signs in defence in the Kangaroos' opening two JLT Community Series games, against Sydney and Hawthorn.

Nonetheless, the pressure will be on Durdin and Vickers-Willis, and Nielson when he returns to full fitness, to make their long-awaited debuts once the home and away season starts.

But Vickers-Willis told AFL.com.au he and his fellow 2014 draftees were not dwelling on the slow start to their careers.

"This season just presents us with an opportunity, there's no lack of self belief amongst us," Vickers-Willis said.

"It's been a bit unfortunate that we've had injuries, but that's all really in the past. Now we're just excited for the season ahead.

"In the next couple of weeks when Dan's back out there, we'll all have an opportunity to show what we can do.

"We've got bright futures ahead of us and we're looking forward to seeing what we can do this year and beyond."

Vickers-Willis says he has long been confident he could cut it at AFL level, but his two JLT games have reinforced that belief.

The 190cm defender's opponents this pre-season have included Swans Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Dan Hannebery and Isaac Heeney, and Hawks Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli.

Vickers-Willis had to pinch himself playing alongside such household names, but relished the chance to test himself against some of the AFL's biggest stars.

"Growing up they were guys I've watched play a lot and it's pretty humbling to stand next to them and play against them, but I really enjoyed the one-on-one contests with them and take great confidence from that," he said.

"I guess going forward they're the guys I'm going to have to match up on, so I'm really enjoying those challenges and am looking forward to seeing who else I'll play on this year.

"As soon as the ball bounces you forget who you're standing next to and just back your ability, and I've known for a long time that I can play good footy at AFL level.

"But after two solid practice matches I've got a good foundation to build on for the rest of the year."

Vickers-Willis attributes his solid start to 2017 to a strong pre-season, when he has been able – especially after Christmas – to get out on the track consistently and learn what's required for him to become a trusted member of North's backline.

The former Sandringham Dragon knows Arden St is the land of opportunity this year after the exits of veterans Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Daniel Wells, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo at the end of last season.

But as excited as he is by the chance to cement a spot in North's best 22, Vickers-Willis knows most other youngsters on the Roos' list have the same aim.

He also says his form suffered at times last year when he started to "over think" his push for a senior debut, so he is avoiding setting season-long personal goals or games targets, preferring to take a process-driven focus.

"I just want to be a team player and build that trust with the rest of the backline because that's what's worked so well for us over the last few years," Vickers-Willis says.

"I don't play an extravagant game style. For me, it's quite simple: defend well, then come off and help out our other defenders when I can, or look to get involved offensively.

"I tend to be an over-thinker at times, so I like to keep things quite simple. This year all I essentially want to think about is, 'How can I best help the team?'"