North Melbourne will unveil debutant Paul Curtis in its clash with Geelong at Blundstone Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Forward Curtis was selected by the Roos with pick No.35 in last year's AFL Draft and staked his claim for a debut after an impressive four-goal haul in the VFL team's thrilling six-point win over Footscray. 

Curtis' tackling pressure is a big part of his game and he is a potential difference-maker who oozes X-factor.

He will be joined in the team by midfielder Tarryn Thomas and forward Cam Zurhaar, who are both returning from injury setbacks.

Thomas will play his first game since Round 2 after suffering internal bruising, while Zurhaar has cleared all the protocols after sustaining a concussion in Round 4.

It will also be Thomas' 50th game in the royal blue and white stripes.

In a blow for North, Jaidyn Stephenson will miss through illness and also going out of the side will be Aaron Hall (hamstring), Eddie Ford and Tom Powell (both omitted).

Aiden Bonar, Callum Coleman-Jones, potential debutant Miller Bergman and Ford have been selected as the emergencies and one of them will be confirmed as the medical substitute an hour before the bounce.