The Kangaroos travel to Perth this week to take on the Dockers and a number of players are pushing their cases to earn a spot on the plane.

David Noble and the match committee will be forced into making at least two changes this week to replace the injured Miller Bergman in defence and the suspended Nick Larkey up forward.

North Media looks at who is in the mix.

The question of who comes in to replace Bergman has the more simple and positive solution of the two big selection questions heading into this week.

Due to defensive stalwart Ben McKay having now served the one-match suspension he picked up against the Cats, the key defender looks to be a lock to come straight back into the side and regain his spot at the heart of North Melbourne's defence.

After recovering from the illness that kept him out of the Carlton clash, Aidan Corr also looks likely to rejoin McKay in leading North's backline.

Initially listed as missing last week due to health and safety protocols, Corr is available to play this week given he was not actually suffering from or exposed to COVID.

Kyron Hayden could also come into the side for his first appearance of the season, while Matt McGuinness could be closing in on a debut due to his late call-up as an emergency last week.

The answer to the question of who comes in for Larkey is somewhat murkier, with senior coach David Noble alluding to a number of potential options in his mid-week press conference.

Whether the Kangaroos bring in another tall forward to replace the 2021 leading goalkicker or elect to run with a smaller and more versatile forward line remains to be seen.

The most like-for-like replacement for Larkey looks to be Charlie Comben who has been forced to bide his time since making his AFL debut in Round 22 last year.

Comben has been in hot form at VFL level so far this season, however the spanner in the works is that he missed last week's VFL game due to knee soreness. However, he is expected to be fit and available for selection.

Should the Kangaroos desire a smaller and more agile forward group, Charlie Lazzaro or Jed Anderson could come into the side and fill a crafty, pressure style role.

Lazzaro impressed with two majors against the VFL Blues on the weekend before having his game impacted by a corky in the third term. He did however play out the game and is available for selection this week.

His work ethic and versatility could also see him pinch-hit on the wing or at the stoppages should the side elect for a new-look in the middle of the park this weekend.

Although he's traditionally a midfielder, Anderson impressed in a half-forward position at the back end of 2021 and could be utilised there again to accomodate the club's myriad of senior midfield options.

He put together three quarters of football in the VFL and missed the final term due to load management as he looks to build his match fitness, so this weekend's clash could be slightly too soon for a senior return.

Tom Powell and Will Phillips have also gathered experience playing in the forward line, however they are also options to come in and supplement team's midfield should they be required.

Phillips played his first full game of football since returning from glandular fever on the weekend and will be hoping to return to senior action soon, while Powell was one of the VFL side's strongest performers in a tough day at Ikon Park.

Noble has previously said he wants his young players to put together strong runs of form at reserve level before being recalled, so the second-year pair could be forced to bide their time for a while longer yet.

Young wing player Pat Walker could also add some strong running ability to the Kangaroos' midfield should he earn his first senior call-up.