Reigning North Melbourne best and fairest Shaun Higgins will return for the Kangaroos’ clash with the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Saturday.
The lively forward missed his side’s match with Port Adelaide last Saturday due to a neck injury and his return will bring speed, defensive pressure and a strong set shot to a potent forward line.
Fellow forward Mason Wood will make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a broken thumb, while defender Sam Wright will play his first match in 701 games as he returns from a horror run of injury.
Giant forward Jarrad Waite (rested) and utility Majak Daw (foot) are two huge outs for the Kangaroos, while Luke Davies-Uniacke is set for an early break in his debut senior campaign.
The Roos sit in eighth on the ladder and have won three and lost three ahead of the Round 7 fixture.
They most recently fell to a 33-point defeat to Port Adelaide and coach Brad Scott rued his side’s lack of intensity.
“They were just a bit better than us in the contest, which allowed them to get going and we weren't able to pressure well enough,” Scott said post-match.
"It was a bit of a slow burn today, they just kicked four goals a quarter and just chipped away at us.
"It didn't feel like there was a wave of momentum going against us but we couldn't get it going our way either. Every time we kicked a goal, even the few times when we kicked two in a row, they'd get one back.”
But North fired in an 86-point win over Carlton in Round 4 and a 28-point victory over Hawthorn in Round 5.
The Roos (423 points) rank the second-best defensive team in the competition after the opening six rounds and experienced backmen Scott Thompson and Robbie Tarrant have been the glue to their rock-solid defence.
But their forward line throws up dangers of its own and 200-centimetre giant Ben Brown is leading the race for the Coleman Medal.
The Tasmanian has booted 23 goals in six games and has an aggressive lead, strong contested mark and deadeye kick for goal.
He is also quick despite his towering height and offers primary ruckman Todd Goldstein strong support in the ruck.
Captain Jack Zieball is one of the hardest at the contest in the AFL and can make an impact whether playing as a forward or midfielder, while on-baller Ben Cunnington (24) is averaging the most touches per game for North.
Scott said the Kangaroos were looking to bolster their midfield stocks.
“We’ve been very heavily reliant on Ben Cunnington and Jack Zieball over a fair period of time,” Scott said.
“So there’s a bit of a two-fold objective there – to look at the best mix and to look at the best forward structure, but also to give others more opportunity in the midfield.”
