North Melbourne has named a vastly different line-up from the team that played before the bye, with four AFL players to return just as five were called up to the seniors.

Key position forward Charlie Comben has been named for his first game in nine weeks, having gone under the knife in the wake of persistent knee soreness.

A highly-touted senior prospect, Comben has booted 15.11 in only seven VFL games this season.

He'll be joined by small forward Phoenix Spicer, who has been omitted from the senior team after a promising run of four senior games, and Tarryn Thomas who has returned to the club following a period of personal leave.

As a consequence of the COVID cases among the senior group, reserves coach Tom Lynch has lost access to defenders Josh Walker, Kayne Turner, Jackson Archer and Kallan Dawson.

Kyron Hayden will offer some respite having been named after a spell on the sidelines, while versatile VFL-listed defender Hamish Murphy rounds out the inclusions.

Small forward Jack Mahony has also been called up to the senior team in Spicer's place.

Last time at Windy Hill…

The Kangaroos will hold fond memories of their last trip to Windy Hill, with a narrow victory over the old enemy kickstarting a season that had seriously faltered to that date.

With club legends Glenn Archer and James Hird in attendance North Melbourne defeated the Bombers by 15 points to register its first win of the season.

Inaccurate kicking almost cost the Roos as the Bombers hit the front thanks to a Patrick Ambrose goal mid-way through the final term. There was nothing to worry about though as late majors to Mat Walker, Eddie Ford, Ben Speight and Josh Clayton would see North emerge victorious.

Tristan Xerri was immense with 36 disposals, 27 hitouts, nine marks, eight clearances and six tackles, while Clayton ran the midfield with 29 touches and three goals.

Will Phillips showcased his game-breaking quality with a classy 33 touches, and Eddie Ford displayed the best of his talents with 18 disposals and two goals.

Prior to the victory the Kangaroos had a season record of 0-5 and had suffered the ignominy of losing three consecutive games by over 100 points. After this victory they would go on to win three of their final four games for the season before the campaign was abandoned due to COVID. 

Charlie Comb-in

With key position pair Comben and Mat Walker having been absent over recent weeks, the Kangaroos have at times struggled to convert forward entries into consistent scoring opportunities.

While the likes of Max Mitchell-Russell and Zach Monkhorst have capably stepped up in the key positions, and Bode Stevens has been amongst the goals as a small forward, the return of Charlie Comben to the line-up must be leaving interim coach Tom Lynch sighing with relief.

Comben has struggled with injury over the course of his AFL-career so far, but when he’s been fit he’s often been banging the door down for senior selection. Even impacted by the knee issues that would eventually sideline him he was an effective influence in the VFL.

Just two spots higher than North on the ladder, a win over the Bombers certainly isn’t out of the question. The return of the Kangaroos’ best forward marking target is a big tick in their pursuit of victory this weekend.

Sunday, July 31

Essendon v North Melbourne at Windy Hill, 12.05pm AEST

IN: 26. T Thomas, 30. C Comben, 36 P. Spicer, 37. K Hayden, 48. H Murphy

OUT: 1. J Mahony, 18. J Walker, 28. K Turner, 34. J Archer, 42. K Dawson

A depleted North Melbourne Kangaroos have gone down to Essendon by 29 points at Windy Hill on Sunday afternoon.

The Roos finished with no players on the bench after injuries and unavailabilities left them hamstrung in the second half.

Some late changes in the AFL line-up saw Roo Phoenix Spicer withdrawn just before the bounce, while Josh Goater was pulled at half-time due to being the carryover for the seniors.

The Roos were down to an empty bench after Cooper Smith was taken to hospital for a shoulder injury, while recruit Tom Williamson couldn't take further part due to a head knock. Charlie Comben was also taken off late in his return to play due to his long layoff.

Despite the visitors bursting out of the blocks to lead at quarter-time, the Dons took control from there to win 11.8 (74) to 6.9 (45).

In some positive news for the Roos, Tarryn Thomas was a shining light in his first game back from several weeks of personal leave.

Thomas looked a class above from the first bounce and had 20 disposals, five clearances and three tackles by half-time, before finishing with 27 touches.

VFL stalwarts Harry Jones and Dom Tyson again starred for the Roos with 27 disposals and 23 respectively.

Kyron Hayden finished with 10 disposals in his return from a groin injury, while Comben had one behind from four disposals in his comeback game.

Brad Bernacki was the Bombers' best with his 28-disposal, three-goal effort, while Tom Cutler had 36 disposals.

BOMBERS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Interim coach Tom Lynch said he was disappointed with how the game finished.

"What was really pleasing was the first half and how we started the game," he said.

"The way we were playing was a really strong brand which was certainly holding us in the contest.

"We finished the game with no players on the bench and just two after half-time so we ran out of legs, that was the tale of the day.

"Even though that was the case, we certainly were beaten around the contest as the game went on and especially in that second half. Essendon made us defend and tired us out."

Lynch praised his midfield brigade's efforts, especially Thomas in his impressive return to footy.

"'Taz' (Thomas) was really strong for us today," he said.

"His contest work was really important for us. His ability to break the lines and get penetration, both through his legs but also his ball use, you certainly saw the quality he has.

"I thought Harry Jones was fantastic for us today, Dom (Tyson) was fantastic in there, 'Ronny' (Hayden) played his first time in the midfield and provided some great grunt in there.

"We had some really solid contributors around the ground but we just weren't able to capitalise."

Due to the lack of rotations, Lynch said Hayden was forced to play more minutes than the Roos had planned for.

"There was always going to be a domino effect, so he had to play a lot more and he battled through like we do know," Lynch said.

"It was really pleasing he was able to get through the game. He felt OK as well, but now it's about how he recovers in the medical room."

Despite a quiet outing from Comben, Lynch was just happy the big man got through unscathed in his first game since knee surgery.

"It was a tough day for forwards," Lynch said.

"The pleasing thing is that he was able to get through the game ... he played a lot more game time than anticipated based on our rotations.

"He always provides a great contest for us ahead of the ball and really straightens us up.

"It was really pleasing to have him back, although I know he would have wanted to make a stronger contribution, but I know that's not far away because of the quality player he is.

"I look forward to him playing some really good footy in the coming weeks."

ESSENDON                     3.0     5.2     9.7     11.8     (74)     
NORTH MELBOURNE     4.2     4.5     6.6     6.9     (45)      

GOALS  
Essendon: Bernacki 3, Baldwin 2, Voss 2, Bryan, Conforti, Ham, Waterman
North Melbourne: Answerth 2, Mitchell-Russell, Beattie, Watkins, Ford

BEST  
Essendon: Bernacki, Bryan, Cutler, Cootee, Atley, Ham
North Melbourne: Thomas, Jones, Tyson, Bosenavulagi, Ford