Recruited late in pre-season from South Launceston, the NTFA's reigning Hec Smith medallist presented a ready-made talent capable of plugging the hole left by several big-name departures from UTAS Stadium.

The 24-year-old also came bearing premiership history perfectly mirroring the Northern Bombers after winning flags in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018 with the Bulldogs.

Little more than half a year later, the former St Finn Barr's and St Patrick's College student is set to line up for what could be his fifth flag in six years.

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"It's pretty surreal - it doesn't feel real at the moment," Tepper said.

"I didn't really expect to come in and play a full season of senior footy, and then to do that and finish off with the potential to win a grand final has been really exciting.

"Coming from the NTFA it was a massive step forward and I've definitely had to work harder as in fitness and even ball skills - just everything is a massive step up but the people around me have made it heaps easier."

A late withdrawal from round one, Tepper debuted a week later in a win over Clarence and has gone on to play 16 games as a midfielder and forward.

He picked up his first TSL player of the year votes with a two-goal effort in round 13's home loss to Lauderdale and was lively in each of North's two wins over the Southern Bombers since.

The qualified joiner and apprentice builder said he had grown immensely as a player since arriving at North.

"It was pretty nerve-racking to start with - just the whole next level up I guess but as soon as I walked through the footy club doors it was just like I'd been here forever, the boys have been unreal to work with and learn off.

"Probably the most I've learned in footy has easily been this year - I've learned off some of the guns like Brad [Cox-Goodyer], Josh [Ponting], Taylor [Whitford], Jay Foon and that so it's been a really good experience so far."

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