IN THE final year of his contract and coming off a year ruined by injury, North Melbourne's Kieran Harper is preparing for a 'do-or-die' season in 2015.
Harper, who has not played a senior match since round three 2013, knows he must get out on the park and perform to get a new deal.
The 22-year-old had a "frustrating" 2014 with ankle problems causing a premature end to a season that was hampered by injuries and poor form.
But he does have coach Brad Scott on his side and he'll be desperate to add to his tally of 40 senior games in 2015.
"(It's) do or die really," he told the club's website.
"I'm just going to put everything into it. I try and think I do that with every single session I do.
"I've just got to make the most of it and leave nothing to chance. Put my best foot forward and play my best footy and hopefully they see the faith in me and re-sign me again.
"I've spoken to him (Scott) a few times and he's always said that my best footy is good enough to play in the ones.
"It's super important to have him on my side and knowing him backing me up that I can play."
Harper had post-season surgery on his troublesome ankle and is still three to four weeks away from joining in full training.
But he will be taking a cautious approach and won't repeat the same mistake as last year.
"I'm just looking to get my agility back up and running and get that all strengthened," he said.
"Get that 100 per cent right before I even push forward and try and get out with the other boys.
"I learnt that last year … I wasn't (at) full fitness come round one.
"I'm not going to be stupid about this (year), I'm going to get it right first and make sure my fitness is there and make sure that I’m ready to go rather than underdone by the time round one comes.
"I might have to wait until round four or five if it happens like that, but I’m just going to take it as it comes."
