For the first time since the final home-and-away match in 2021, Phoenix Spicer will run onto the field in North Melbourne colours.

Spicer has been included in the Kangaroos' VFL side to take on Box Hill on Sunday afternoon.

While it's already been confirmed the young forward will only play approximately three quarters of football in his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury, but his inclusion is surely a sight for sore North Melbourne eyes.

With Charlie Comben, Callum Coleman-Jones and Max Mitchell-Russell to miss, the 20-year-old will bring much-needed x-factor and electricity in front of goal.

Senior-listed small Jack Mahony will line up with Spicer, having overcome a lower leg injury he sustained at training, and hope to mount a case for a return to the firsts.

Jacob Edwards is in line to feature for the first time since the Roos hosted Geelong in Round 7, the young ruck having missed the last three games as he completed a conditioning program.

Utility Patrick Walker has been named for his first game since Round 8. Having been selected on every line at least once this season, he will offer flexibility in the absence of several key players.

Box Hill sit on the fringes of the finals spots, but have won four of their last five games and built a healthy percentage of 126.2. A narrow defeat to the Casey Demons, who have yet to be beaten this season, represents the Hawks' only blemish.

One of the Kangaroos' primary challenges will be to contain Fergus Greene and Ben Cavarra, the former Western Bulldogs forwards who have booted 41.17 between them over seven VFL games this season.

With the seniors set to play Gold Coast in the Top End on Saturday, Roos fans can get down to support the reserves for free. All AFL club members will be granted access to Smithy's VFL matches this weekend if they show their membership card at the gate.

>> Full VFL fixture and results

Learning from defeat

After kicking the first goal of the final term to open up a two-point lead against Sandringham last week, the momentum looked to be going in the Kangaroos' favour. The midfield was winning the ball, the forwards were kicking goals and the defence was organised and calm.

A nose injury suffered by Marty Hore proved to be the catalyst for the Zebras' comeback. In his absence they kicked three quick goals on a young North defence. When he returned they kicked three more, as the Kangaroos took risks in an attempt to get back into the game.

This season has been full of strong learning experiences for North's young AFL-listed defenders, with Matt McGuinness, Atu Bosenavulagi and first year players Josh Goater and Jackson Archer all having played strong roles on the weekend and across the season.

Every week another piece of the puzzle falls into place for each player, and the Kangaroos' young back six should be able to draw on the memory of that momentum swing when the Hawks come at them this weekend.

Sunday, June 5

North Melbourne v Box Hill Hawks at Arden Street Oval, 1.05pm AEST

Ins: Mahony, Edwards, Walker, Spicer
Outs: Coleman-Jones, Comben, Guthrie, Mitchell-Russell, Alford

>> The game will be streamed live on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App

The Box Hill Hawks managed to master the tough weather conditions on Sunday afternoon to register a dominant 71-point victory over North Melbourne.

While the rain mostly held off until the final term, the blustery wind from the start of the contest saw both sides struggle to lock-in on the goals. However it was the Hawks who took control early in the second term.

The final third execution was the difference early between the two sides. Box Hill managed to score in bursts while the Kangaroos were often left to send long, high balls inside 50, but the Hawks took control in the second half and laid waste to a struggling Kangaroos midfield.

VFL senior coach Leigh Adams says the result was a fair indication of the contest.

"We got what we deserved today. Our intensity wasn't at the level, our ability to defend the ball wasn't at the level and our contest wasn't at the level. It was a really disappointing day all-around and in the end we got what we deserved," Adams told North Media.

"We gave too much space for the opposition to be able to use their skills and their pressure was really good which didn't allow us to use our skills. It was a pretty fair indication on the scoreboard in the end.

"We've got too many blokes at the moment who seem to care more about what's happening on the stats sheet instead of what's happening on the scoreboard. When we can get more blokes to buy into the really hard stuff that is the contest and the defensive side of the game our offence will take care of itself.

"Even today in a pretty poor showing we moved the ball really well at times, so if we can get a bit more contest and defence we'll be fine."

The major positive of the day, from the Kangaroos' perspective, was the successful return of injury-hit forward Phoenix Spicer.

Spicer suited up in royal blue and white for the first time since his AFL debut in Round 23, 2021. The clash with the Hawks was his first competitive game at any level in 287 days.

While he was on a minutes restriction, Spicer impressed at times with his pace and his willingness to tackle. Adams says the young forward can take confidence from his first hitout in some time.

"It's been a while since Phoenix has played, so it was good to get him out there. He got through unscathed which is a big tick and he'll only get better from here," Adams said.

"He played forward for most of it but we weren't able to get the ball down there much so he didn't have a huge impact. We were able to get him up on the wing for his last 10-15 minutes and he looked really good.

"He linked up well a couple of times and used his speed really well. We're happy with how he went."

>> Full VFL fixture and results

Charlie Lazzaro continued his strong form in the midfield and was amongst the side's best players both offensively and, at times, defensively. Tasked with trying to contain the ever-dangerous James Worpel the second-year player showcased the intensity he's quickly garnering a reputation for.

While the Hawks' midfield did get off the leash at times, Lazzaro is using his time in the VFL to improve his overall education in the game through increased exposure in the middle of the ground.

"'Laz' is getting more inside midfield time because we want to educate him more about his contest decisions," Adams said.

"He's obviously got a really good engine and when he gets the ball he uses it really well. We don't have to teach him offence because he does that really well, it's just a little bit more around his contest balance and his defensive mindset at times, to teach him that.

"He's had a couple of tough jobs in the last two weeks in (Luke) Dunstan and (James) Worpel but we're trying to teach him to make those quick decisions about whether he can impact to contest or whether he needs to get back to his man. He seems to be getting better at it each week which is positive."

Playing his second consecutive week at VFL-level, Jaidyn Stephenson continued to put his hand up for a senior recall with some strong moments in tough conditions.

Utilised primarily in the midfield, Stephenson put together some strong moments of offensive play but, like many of his teammates, was at times left wanting in the post-clearance part of the game.

Adams says the issues Stephenson is currently facing is indicative of the problems many of his attacking players currently face.

"He's just a bit inconsistent at the moment. He does some really nice things and we know he's got some real talent but it's just about gaining that consistency over four quarters," Adams said.

"It's the same with all our mids and forwards at the moment at VFL level, they're making good offensive decisions but at the moment our snap to get back into defence is probably just not at the level and that's what's hurting us.

"Our contested possession post-clearance was really poor, they owned the outside and were able to get over the contest a bit better. It's an area we found tough today and we got smacked around in there."

Jack Mahony was dropped to reserve level and split his time between the midfield and forward lines, while Josh Goater played himself back into some form with a collected 17-disposal performance in defence.

Jacob Edwards returned from his re-conditioning training phase and was quiet, while Pat Walker was a strong influence on the wing in his return.

The Kangaroos continue their VFL campaign with a trip to Sydney to take on GWS next weekend.

NORTH MELBOURNE     0.4     2.7     4.10     4.12     (36)
BOX HILL HAWKS          4.3     7.10     13.10     15.17     (107)

AFL-listed players:

Jackson Archer - Eight disposals, two tackles
Jacob Edwards - Six disposals, seven hitouts
Josh Goater - 17 disposals, seven marks
Charlie Lazzaro - 26 disposals, 10 marks, seven tackles, four clearances
Jack Mahony - 15 disposals, three tackles, three clearances
Matt McGuinness - 17 disposals, six marks, three tackles
Phoenix Spicer - Seven disposals, three tackles
Jaidyn Stephenson - 26 disposals, six tackles, four clearances
Pat Walker - 18 disposals, seven marks

Best of VFL-listed players:

Marty Hore - 35 disposals, nine marks
Tom Howard - Two goals, 12 disposals, two tackles, two clearances
Zach Monkhorst - 14 disposals, 14 hitouts, seven clearances
Dom Tyson - 27 disposals, two clearances
Mat Walker - Two goals, 13 disposals