After sitting out of action last week thanks to the bye, North Melbourne's VFL program returns to action this week with a spate of AFL-listed players coming back into the side.

Up to six senior players have been added to the team, headlined by key position players Callum Coleman- Jones and Charlie Comben and midfield/forward option Jaidyn Stephenson.

Young forward Jack Mahony has shaken off the ankle injury that kept him sidelined from last week's AFL clash with Melbourne but he'll be required to prove his fitness at VFL level before potentially making a senior return.

Defensive pair Atu Bosenavulagi and Jackson Archer also come in to shore up the backline.

Co-captain and versatile midfield option Harry Jones will miss the clash due to an ankle injury, while Sam Collins and Jacob Boyd also make way.

Sandringham should offer a firm test for the Kangaroos and currently sit fifth on the ladder. The Zebras have racked up five wins and two losses this campaign, as well as a draw to GWS in Round 5.

They come into the clash hot off a hard-fought draw against Carlton last week. Ryan Barnes dominated in the midfield with 30 disposals, while former John Law medallist Tom Campbell was at his best with 17 disposals, four clearances and 32 hitouts.

Return of the tall timber

Due to injury and unavailability the Kangaroos went into their Round 8 clash with Casey considerably undersized. Zach Monkhorst was the team's only recognised ruck taking a Demons side that boasted the veteran talents of Majak Daw.

While North competed admirably in the air against the likes of Daw, Sam Weideman and Jack Bell, the extra size and strength proved too much in the middle of the park for the Kangaroos and Casey's midfielders ran riot with first use of the football.

The Kangaroos' prospects don't get any easier this week in the form impressive one-two punch Tom Campbell and Max Heath. Those at Arden Street are well aware of Campbell's abilities at VFL level given his time at the club - it was at North where he established himself as one of the top rucks at this level.

Callum Coleman-Jones looks set to take over primary ruck duties in what will be a firm test for the young tall, and he'll be ably supported by Monkhorst and the returning Charlie Comben.

Coleman-Jones and Comben won't just bring extra size into the team though, they've been two of North's strongest performers at reserve level this season. A good battle looms.

Making use of the bye

Due to the inclusion of 21 total teams in the VFL this year, byes aren't exactly few and far between. It's only Round 10 and the Kangaroos have already had two weeks off so far this season.

Last week's bye, despite the difficult loss to Casey the week before, couldn't have come at a better time. The team was beset by niggles and injuries but this week the reinforcements have come back in spades.

The review of the Round 8 loss will have undoubtedly been thorough and strong, much like it would have been after the Round 2 loss to Brisbane.

Earlier in the season the Kangaroos utilised the bye to rebound from that 100-point loss against the Lions, only to win their following contest in a brilliant team display against a strong side in Footscray. Can history repeat itself this week?

Sunday, May 29

Sandringham v North Melbourne at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 2.15pm AEST

B: 15. A Bosenavulagi, 34. J Archer, 41. M McGuinness
HB: 50. H Dick, 31. J Goater, 53. M Hore
C: 48. H Murphy, 35. C Lazzaro, 54. K Answerth
HF: 1. J Mahony, 2. J Stephenson, 46. D Tyson
F: 70. J Watkins, 30. C Comben, 47. M Walker
Foll: 21. C Coleman-Jones, 66. Z Monkhorst, 56. Y Dib

I/C: 55. C Hinkley, 57. C Smith, 60. J Guthrie, 61. M Mitchell-Russell, 71. T Howard
23rd Player: 57. C Smith

Emerg: 58. B Stevens, 68. D Stone, 80. J Alford

Ins: 1. J Mahony, 2. J Stephenson, 15. A Bosenavulagi, 21. C Coleman-Jones, 30. C Comben, 34. J Archer
Outs: 49. Harry Jones, 52. S Collins, 74. J Boyd