Sydney is set to be without Adam Goodes and Kurt Tippett for the start of the season.
Both have been on limited training programs and Swans’ coach John Longmire confirmed Goodes could be out until ‘Round 3 or 4’.
North plays the Swans in Round 4.
Tippett meanwhile is eyeing the season opener, but will be taking a conservative approach.
"We've put a lot of work into strengthening his leg and we'll make sure it's completely right so he can get through the whole season.
"He's dealt with it before and he's confident he'll be fine."
Grand Final lights?
Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury says he’s open to a night or twilight Grand Final.
The 26-year-old attended the NFL’s Super Bowl, predicting a similar format would be welcomed in Australia.
"It created a great buzz and certainly something that opened my eyes over there is how well they (the NFL) did it, although they did mention the hardest tickets to get in the world are the AFL Grand Final tickets so our code's doing well.
"Even a 4.40pm timeslot where the entertainment at half-time was under lights (would be good).”
The potential of a night Grand Final has long been discussed within AFL circles, with league CEO Andrew Demetriou previously rejecting the idea on the basis of keeping the day-time tradition.
AFL TV rights
The next AFL broadcast rights could fetch as much as $1.6 billion according to a leading media analyst.
The current $1.25 billion, five-year deal with Channel Seven, Foxtel and Telstra expires at the end of the 2016 season but talks will heat up soon.
''I gave 5 per cent per annum on $1.25 billion, I got to between $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion. That's what I think it's worth even at a premium inflation rate compared with expected TV advertising growth,'' Roger Colman, an experienced research analyst with CCZ Stratton Equities told Fairfax Media.
''[It includes] a premium inflation rate with sports rights, with a certainty of ratings and cross-promotional benefits and the fact it is 'tentpole' stuff that networks need relative to general advertising and product revenue availability.''
It’s yet to be seen if Channels Nine and Ten will join the bidding.
Clarkson’s blueprint
Hawks’ coach Alastair Clarkson wants the AFL to change the coaching ranks to avoid a repeat of the Essendon supplements scandal.
Clarkson told Fairfax Media coaches' licences should be mandatory and that by 2020 every senior coach appointed should have coached his own team for a minimum two years.
Under his proposal, Hird would not have been allowed to coach the Bombers without AFL accreditation and significant coaching experience.
''Hirdy (James Hird) needs accreditation to coach under nines but not an AFL footy team. It really concerns me that the game doesn't protect itself in the way, say, the teaching industry does.''
He’s urging the AFL to put regulations in place.
''We're only temporary custodians. We're just here to protect the game and pass the baton on to the next generation and ensure it is in a good state.
''We've just got to make sure that things like what happened last year must never be allowed to ambush the game again, to tarnish what is a great game.''
Michael Voss has since admitted he stepped into the senior coaching role at Brisbane too early.
Voss, who was sacked by the Lions after a loss in Round 20 last year says he regrets not undergoing a coaching apprenticeship as an assistant.
“I would have definitely spent a couple more years plying my trade,” Voss told SEN radio.
“It’s worthwhile to be able to do it that way I think, to just be able to observe and watch and have your patience and now coming into the system and out of the system, it’s a worthwhile topic and worthwhile discussing how the accreditation process takes place.”
