MOBILE key forward Nick Larkey will become North Melbourne's league-leading ninth senior debutant this season against Essendon on Saturday.

The Kangaroos drafted Larkey, who is 198cm tall and can also play in the ruck, with the 73rd pick of last year's NAB AFL Draft and the ex-Oakleigh Charger has proven a bargain recruit.

He was equal-fifth in the VFL goalkicking with 21 in 10 games before a knee injury sidelined him for the past fortnight.

North coach Brad Scott broke the news to Larkey after training on Thursday afternoon, and the 19-year-old has more reason to smile when he signed a contract with the Roos until the end of 2019.

"It's unbelievable … I thought I was a chance, because my knee is a lot better," Larkey told the club's website.

"I had a great session out on the track there, so I thought I might be a sniff, but I wasn't sure if they were going to wait another week. It's the best news I've heard (in) I can't remember since when.

"I can't wait to tell my family and enjoy the next few days and then enjoy game day, of course. It will be a great experience and I can't wait to relish it."

Larkey is set to join 34-year-old forward-wingman Jarrad Waite (calf) as an inclusion for the Bombers clash, meaning one of out-of-sorts pair Todd Goldstein and Majak Daw is likely to miss out.

Larkey will predominantly provide tall forward support for Ben Brown, with Mason Wood still recovering from a calf issue.

Goldstein had a season-worst six disposals against Port Adelaide, to go with 22 hit-outs, and looks vulnerable, given Scott said before last week’s match that Daw deserved an extended senior run. 

"Maj's main issue, and the challenge for us, is he's had one complete pre-season in his entire AFL career and I think his longest consecutive games streak is about five or six," Scott said. 

"So far he's played three in a row, so we just need to get some continuity and give him some opportunity.”