THERE'S room for Trent Dumont alongside Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and Andrew Swallow in North Melbourne's team, with Roos coach Brad Scott confident the inside midfielder can cement himself as a senior regular in 2017.
North's second selection at the 2013 NAB AFL Draft at No.30 overall, Dumont has played 20 senior games since debuting in round four, 2015, including 12 of the Kangaroos' final 15 games last season.
The young mid has built on his solid finish to 2016 this pre-season, averaging 20 possessions across North's three JLT Community Series games, racking up a team-high 12 tackles against Sydney and an equal team-high 25 possessions and five tackles against Hawthorn.
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Some commentators have queried whether team balance might prevent the South Australian from establishing himself in North's team, given the Roos already boast considerable inside midfield depth through Ziebell, Cunnington and Swallow.
Dumont has been named in the centre for Sunday's round one clash against West Coast at Etihad Stadium, however, Cunnington will miss the encounter because of a one-match suspension.
But Scott told AFL.com.au Dumont was well placed to hold his senior spot when Cunnington returned in round two against Geelong.
"It's pretty easy to lump the inside midfielders into the same category. Trent's worked really hard underneath those guys (Ziebell, Cunnington and Swallow) and with 'Wellsy' (Daniel Wells) and these guys ahead of him (in previous seasons) he's had to work really hard," Scott said.
"Even if those some of those senior players were still here, I suspect Trent would work his way past a few of them.
"He'll obviously get his opportunity round one and I think he is very close to cementing himself in our side."
Dumont played some run-with roles for North late last season, blanketing Saints star Jack Steven and curbing the influence of Marcus Bontempelli and Rory Sloane.
And Scott said the 21-year-old had other strings to his bow that North could utilise.
"He can play forward. In his days as a junior playing in South Australia he played forward a little bit and he certainly knows where the goals are," the Roos coach said.