North Melbourne big man Hamish McIntosh has issued an ominous warning to rival clubs, declaring himself fit and raring to go for 2012.
McIntosh suffered a frustrating 2011, with a persistent Achilles injury keeping the 203cm ruckman on the sidelines during pre-season and limiting him to just one match in Round 24 against Richmond.
That followed on from two consecutive successful campaigns in 2009 and 2010, where the 27-year-old only missed a combined two games and played some of the best football of his career.
Spurred on by not taking any part in the last pre-season, McIntosh is feeling fit as a fiddle for this time of year and is confident of regaining his best form in 2012.
"I haven't missed a session this pre-season so that is all I can ask for at this stage," McIntosh said.
"Last year wasn't a great year for myself as I was injured for pretty much most of it."
"But I am running heaps better than last year and I am enjoying being out there with the boys again."
"Hopefully I can get back to the form that I showed two years ago."
Todd Goldstein was the main benefactor of McIntosh's absence in 2011, with the fellow North big man playing the final 21 games of the season and averaging a mammoth 35.3 hit outs per match.
McIntosh is looking forward to working with Goldstein and believes the duo can form a formidable combination that leads North to their first finals series since 2008.
"I am excited about working in tandem with Goldy as I feel it could be a strength of the footy side," he said.
"We are trying to train ourselves up right to get our partnership working as beautifully as it can."
"I am looking forward to seeing what we can do out on the footy field as I reckon it showed it could work when we played together in the last round (in 2011)."
"Hopefully it will be a strength of the side and help us play some finals footy."
While McIntosh is confident he can regain his best form, he also has high expectations for another big man in Majak Daw.
Daw came agonisingly close to making his debut late last season, but McIntosh said it will only be a matter of time before the 20-year-old is thrust into the big time.
"His fitness is an area he has improved again and that is an area he needed to work on," McIntosh said of Daw.
"The way you saw him play in a few VFL games last year was outstanding and I would say with a big pre-season he is only going to improve on that."
"The way he has been playing, I definitely think he is going to play some AFL footy this year."
McIntosh also has high hopes for Brad McKenzie, North's first selection at pick 18 in last month's national draft.
McKenzie is a 188cm left-footed midfielder and McIntosh thinks he could be a surprise packet next season.
"The one that has really stood out (during pre-season) has been Brad McKenzie. He has been exceptional," McIntosh said.
"His skills are exactly what we need in the footy side as he has got a lethal left foot."
"So far in training he has really stood out with his poise and his skills and if Brad's form is good he will play some footy next year for sure."
Meanwhile, McIntosh gave his support to Brent Harvey to once again be captain of the club in 2012, but said he would be just as comfortable if 'Boomer' handed the reins to one of the younger leaders.