COACH Neil Craig says tall utility Cam Pedersen, who has been recalled to take on his former team North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, needs to take his latest opportunity with both hands.

Speaking at AAMI Park on Friday, Craig said Pedersen had been in “really good form” with Casey in the VFL, due to his flexibility. He added that the 26 year-old needed to bring that versatility to the AFL. 

“He’s developing that characteristic at that level [in the VFL] … which is a great quality to have as a player,” Craig said.

“He gets another opportunity, and he’ll probably play predominantly in defence, even though we know he can go in the ruck, so I’m looking forward to seeing him play [because] he’s got some great qualities.

“But he needs to start to cement or create what I call ‘team security’ and actually put his flag down and say ‘when it comes to match committee, I’m one of the first [names] to actually [be] put on the whiteboard’. But that will be up to him.”

Craig said one of Pedersen’s major strengths was his “very good aerial skills”, but stringing consistency together was his aim.

“That’s why we like to keep guys at the Casey Scorpions for two, three or four weeks in a row, where they can actually demonstrate consistent performances at that level, before we bring them in,” he said.

“That’s not always possible, but that’s the ideal situation for us. That will be Cam’s challenge. We know the level he can play at.

“It will be up to Cam to drive his own career and to use all the resources we have at this footy club. But in the end, I love players who take charge of their own career.”

Craig said he wasn’t sure if Pedersen’s motivation would go up a notch against his former team. The former Roo played 16 matches with North Melbourne from 2011-12, before crossing to Melbourne at the end of last season.

“I haven’t spoken to him about it. It doesn’t particularly worry me,” Craig said.

“I’d like to think that players are better than that, and that they don’t just play well against their old team.

“He may consider that, but that’ll be up to Cam. I’m more interested in the end product.”