North Melbourne welcomes back a trio of injured players as it hopes to revive its VFL finals ambitions against Sydney in Round 16.

The Roos are fresh off the bye at Reserves level, having lost to the in-form Western Bulldogs in their last hit-out in Round 14.

Youngsters Wil Dawson (AC joint) and Blake Drury (knee) will make their returns from injury against the Swans, along with defender Zac Fisher, who missed last weekend's AFL win over the Gold Coast Suns due to a foot injury. 

Will Phillips returns to VFL action after being omitted from this weekend's AFL team travelling to Sydney, while midfielder Tom Cappellari is this week's other inclusion. 

First-year player Colby McKercher goes out of the team, having returned to AFL action. This week's other outs are mid-season draftee Geordie Payne, and VFL-listed players Sam Lowson, Will Lambert and Lachlan Wynd.  

How to follow the game

You can live stream the match free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.

Follow the @NMFCReserves accounts on X, Instagram and Facebook to keep up with our results and best performers, and don't forget to use #Kangas.

Round 16

Saturday, July 13
Sydney Swans v North Melbourne at Tramway Oval, Sydney, 10.05am AEST

North Melbourne's VFL side has defeated the Sydney Swans 13.6 (84) to 12.7 (79) after a late match-winner from Cooper Harvey.

With time ticking away in the last term, Connor Downie intercepted an outlet kick and drove the ball deep inside 50, where Harvey (two goals, 12 disposals) read the play, got out the back and soccered home what was the ultimate game-winning score.

The drama didn't finish there though as the Swans set up a shot after the siren, but Jake Bartholomaeus was unable to convert from a difficult shot beyond the arc.

Young gun Zane Duursma (three goals, three contested marks) impressed for the visitors, snagging two crucial goals in the fourth term, while Robbie Hansen jnr (two goals 16 disposals) was dangerous yet again as he continues his strong form.

The Roos were switched on early and dominated the middle of the ground with midfielders Hugh Greenwood (21 disposals, 12 tackles, six clearances), Jack Watkins (29 disposals, seven clearances), Will Phillips (22 disposals, seven clearances) and ruckman Hamish Free (16 disposals, seven clearances) having their way

A high tackle on Duursma saw the No.7 open North Melbourne's account with a well-taken set shot, before Tyler Sellers, Cooper Harvey and Wil Dawson all booted majors, with Dawson snagging his first as a Roo.

SWANS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

The second quarter was a more even contest with both teams kicking a single goal - North Melbourne's coming through the returning Blake Drury.

The Swans started to assert themselves at the contest in the third quarter and pinched a quick one through Willem Smit, but two majors to Hansen jnr and one to Free saw the Roos keep their lead intact.

After two classy finishes at the beginning of the final stanza from Duursma it looked like the visitors would cruise home, but Sydney managed four of the next five goals and hit the lead late despite Bigoa Nyuon slotting his first major in North Melbourne colours.

However, in expert forward fashion, it was Harvey who sealed a dramatic win in New South Wales.

In his return from a foot injury, Zac Fisher racked up 27 disposals and six rebound 50s, while Charlie Lazzaro was another top performer, notching 24 touches and five inside 50s.

Jaidyn Stephenson started the contest actively and finished with 15 disposals in limited gametime as the carryover emergency for the AFL side. 

Taylor Goad showed more positive signs in defence and managed eight disposals and five rebound 50s, while Jarrod Lienert held down the backline again with 17 possessions and seven intercepts.

SYDNEY SWANS            1.3    2.4    7.5    12.7  (79)     
NORTH MELBOURNE     4.1    5.4    9.5    13.6  (84)     

GOALS 
Sydney Swans: Hanily 3, Smit 2, Reid 2, Lloyd, Ladhams, Hamling, Green, Bartholomaeus
North Melbourne: Duursma 3, Sellers 2, Harvey 2, Hansen jnr 2, Nyuon, Free, Drury, W Dawson

BEST  
North Melbourne: Hansen jnr, Watkins, Duursma, Lazzaro, Greenwood, Free