WHEN Eastern Ranges midfielder Matthew Scott considered his prospects ahead of the NAB AFL Rookie Draft on December 15, joining North Melbourne didn't seem a likely outcome.

The Kangaroos' recruiters had spoken with the 18-year-old at October's draft camp and visited his Croydon North home two weeks later, but come the national draft kept their distance with their six selections.

Scott had given himself a 50-50 chance of being picked and when he wasn't, moved on from the disappointment by training with Collingwood and Hawthorn.

Discussions with the Western Bulldogs had also been positive.

"I didn't know if they were still interested or not," Scott said. "I hadn't spoken with North Melbourne at all [after the natonal draft]."

North was still keen and, with its second pick (No.25 overall) from the rookie pool, Scott filled the last spot on its list for 2010.

"I was watching on the computer, saw my name come up and that was it," he said. "I was ecstatic. I couldn't believe it."

North's talent ID manager Bryce Lewis had closely monitored Scott's performances at TAC Cup, school and state under-18 level and was surprised he had slipped through the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds of the November intake.

Lewis saw Scott's ball-winning nous, as well as his ability to push into attack with a strong overhead mark.

At Yarra Valley, Scott had played alongside Andrew Moore and Jordan Gysberts, who were first-round selections for Port Adelaide and Melbourne.

Another school teammate, Sam Blease, had joined the Demons a year earlier.

Scott also had an ally in Shane Watson, who had coached him for three seasons at Ranges before crossing to North as an assistant coach last month.

So the pair was reunited.

"He called me up as soon as I got picked up and congratulated me," Scott said.

The very next day, Scott and Majak Daw, the Sudanese-born key position player taken with North's first pick (No.9 overall), arrived at Arden Street for training.

Daw's selection had created a wave of excitement, particularly with the media, but Scott was pleased with his quieter introduction.

"It takes the pressure off a bit," he said. "I was happy for him (Daw). I've got to know him and he's a great bloke.

"I'm still struggling to get my head around it. To be training with Brent Harvey [and those guys] is surreal."

At just 72kg, Scott said his summer priorities were to work on his size, strength and fitness.

He added that his family were thrilled with his opportunity and that his father's knowledge of the game was improving all the time.

Scott's parents and older brother moved to Melbourne from New Zealand 20 years ago.

"Dad is still rugby at heart but he's slowly getting used to the AFL," he said.