North will go into Sunday’s clash against Adelaide with all but five players available for selection.
Defender Lachlan Hansen has returned to full training, and according to coach Brad Scott will be among those considered for selection for this week’s season opener at Adelaide Oval.
Only Nathan Grima (back), Aaron Mullett (shoulder), Taylor Garner (hamstring), Leigh Adams (concussion) and Daniel Nielson (knee) remain on the sidelines.
Director of Football Geoff Walsh praised the club’s medical and fitness teams for their work throughout the pre-season.
“It’s a credit to our staff that we now have the overwhelming majority of players ready to go on the eve of round one,” Walsh told NMFC.com.au.
“It was well documented that we had several players miss parts of our pre-season campaign, but all the players and staff have worked tremendously hard to give the match committee a tough task when it comes to naming our best 22.
“These are the kinds of selection headaches any football club would be happy to have.”
Injury List - March 31
Leigh Adams (Concussion) - TBC
Taylor Garner (Hamstring) – 2-4 weeks
Aaron Mullett (Shoulder) - 7 weeks
Nathan Grima (Back) – 7-9 weeks
Daniel Nielson (Knee) – season (long term injury list)
