North Melbourne has the inside running to snare its version of Marlion Pickett 2.0 in this season’s mid-season draft.

Northern Territory prospect Adam Tipungwuti produced an eye-catching display in the Kangaroos intra-club last Friday, just four days after signing with North’s VFL program.

The 23-year-old trained for the first time last Wednesday night, before playing as a small forward in North Melbourne’s practice match at Arden Street 48 hours later.

Marlion Pickett celebrates that famous goal in last year’s Grand Final. Picture: David Caird Source: News Corp Australia

Round 18

North Melbourne doesn’t have a spot available on its list right now, but insiders expect the Roos to consider picking the livewire forward at the midway point of the season if his form develops in the next few months.

Richmond took a punt on a 27-year-old Pickett in the first mid-season draft since 1993 before the WAFL star made a stunning debut on the last Saturday in September.

Tipungwuti, who is the cousin of Essendon fan favourite Anthony McDonald-Tipunguti, met with four clubs ahead of last May’s mid-season rookie draft, including North Melbourne, Essendon and Greater Western Sydney.

The Kangaroos considered Tipungwuti at the time, before settling on Glenelg forward Lachlan Hosie at Pick 5, who nearly broke through for a debut in the final month of last season.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti in action against Gold Coast in 2019. Source: AAP

Essendon attempted to gain priority access to the Tiwi Islands product ahead of last year’s mid-season draft, but the AFL knocked them back despite that region being part of the Bombers’ next generation academy zone, with the Bombers choosing West Adelaide half-forward Will Snelling instead.

New senior coach Rhyce Shaw coached Tipungwuti for two games when he played for Sydney’s NEAFL side in 2018 and is understood to have been impressed by him, before he returned to the Northern Territory shortly after kicking three goals against Greater Western Sydney’s reserves.

New GM of football Brady Rawlings interviewed him when he was list manager at West Coast and considered drafting him then, while veteran talent identifier Scott Clayton has recently joined the Kangaroos’ list management team after spending the past two years working at the Eagles.

Adam Tipungwuti on the burst for the Tiwi Bombers. Source: News Corp Australia

Forwards coach Brendan Whitecross has also crossed paths with him after the indigenous star lived with his parents when he was part of the Brisbane Lions’ academy in 2014.

Tipungwuti looked dangerous in North Melbourne’s intra-club last Friday, terrorising Jamie Macmillan and Jasper Pittard with his defensive forward pressure.

Three senior players told foxsports.com.au they were amazed by his pure natural ability after his dazzling display on Friday.

It is understood one reason clubs have baulked at him in the past is because of his lack of training. He has rarely trained with more than 15 players – if at all – and has barely seen the inside of a gym.

Cyril Rioli with Adam Tipungwuti against the Palmerston Magpies on Bathurst Island. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL Source: News Corp Australia

Recruiters believe he will benefit greatly from being inside a more professional environment, leaving eight VFL games between now and the mid-season draft.

Tipungwuti played 14 games for the Tiwi Bombers in the Northern Territory Football League between October and February, including one appearance with Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli.

A date is yet to be set for the 2020 mid-season rookie draft, but expect it to be held on the Monday after Round 11.