Nakia Cockatoo says he has already learned plenty from star Cats recruit Patrick Dangerfield.

Cockatoo is now gearing up to show enough in the NAB Challenge to earn a midfield berth alongside Dangerfield in the season proper.

“Hopefully I get a little gig in the midfield with Paddy,” he told Radio Sport National on Thursday morning.

“He’s taught me a fair bit already. He’s given me a few tips around the club and stuff.

“I’ve asked him a lot stuff about playing in the midfield. I try and work on my game with him - stoppages and all that.”

Cockatoo has spent a lot of time over the summer working on his ball handling and disposal.

“I really need to get cleaner with the ball - take it in one grab and feed it off to Paddy running past, or Joel Selwood,” he said.

The 19-year-old, who played 11 games and kicked three goals in his debut season in 2015, has also been working on his overhead marking.

“Hopefully that comes out this year, maybe in a few species,” he joked.

In a wide-ranging interview with Mick McGuane and Michael Christian, Cockatoo also spoke about another of the cats’ recruits, former Carlton player Lachie Henderson.

“He’s looking really fit and did well in the 15-minute run again,” Cockatoo said. “He’s looking really well.”