Jacob Edwards has a bright future at North Melbourne but the key forward has had limited time at the club since being taken at No.1 pick in the AFL mid-season draft.

The 18-year-old is not the first, and won't be the last player to complete high school while on an AFL list.

But the protocols surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have meant Edwards has been unable to continuously train with his new teammates.

He played his first VFL game last week but Edwards will have to wait for his AFL debut.

"He's got a long way to go," North coach David Noble said.

"The difficulty we've had with him is with the school and the protocols with COVID, we haven't been able to have him in regularly.

"But the time we have been able to get him in; really diligent and excited with his capacity to continue to learn and improve.

"He's a really driven and determined young man that wants to make his mark in the next few years."

The improving Kangaroos are determined to avoid collecting the wooden spoon, but will need to win at least two of their three remaining games to do so.

They face struggling reigning premiers Richmond at the MCG on Saturday, with hardnose forward Cam Zurhaar expected to overcome a shoulder injury.