Defender Lachie Hansen says he wants to be part of North's September campaign after being starved of finals opportunities in the past, beginning with Sunday's elimination final against Richmond at the MCG.

The 27-year-old has played just two finals in his nine years at Arden Street since being recruited with pick No.3 in the 2006 national draft.

Hansen made his first finals appearance for the club in the 2007 semi-final win over Hawthorn, while his last match came in the 2012 elimination final loss to West Coast.

He even missed the Roos' three finals last year after struggling to overcome a nagging hip injury at the pointy end of the season.

Hansen said he was eager to experience a finals campaign after trying desperately to prove his fitness in last year's final-round match against Melbourne.

"Missing out last year with the injury was pretty disappointing. I came back for the last game (against the Demons) and tried to get through but hurt my hip again just before half-time and got subbed out," Hansen told NMFC.com.au.

"Then watching the boys play in some big finals games in front of big crowds and having good wins was hard to watch from the sidelines.

"Hopefully I get the opportunity this weekend to play in a big game; it hasn't come around a lot so I'm really looking forward to it."

In last Friday night's clash against the Tigers, Hansen demonstrated just how much of a valuable commodity he is in the Roos' back six, collecting 19 touches and 11 marks in a composed display.

"To contribute and get my hands on the footy again was good," he said.

"I had a couple of leaner weeks against Fremantle (round 21) and the Western Bulldogs (round 22), but I was happy to find some form coming into a big game this week."

Hansen has typically performed well against Richmond over the journey, finishing with 12 touches and 11 marks in his comeback from injury in round six this season, before being substituted out of the match after opponent Ben Griffiths went down with injury.

In round 12 last year, he had 19 disposals and latched onto seven marks against the Tigers.

Although Hansen said he was yet to find out whether he would be selected in the team, he had started preparing for the game as best he could.

The 197cm backman said there were some benefits of facing Richmond in consecutive matches.

"It was a good thing playing them last week and then going in again; I know a bit more about how each player plays," Hansen said.

Despite what is at stake for both clubs, Hansen said he would approach the sudden-death final with a relaxed demeanour.

But he acknowledged the anticipation would build as the game draws closer should he get the nod to play.

"You're definitely a little bit more nervous going into a big game like this, especially at the MCG where there's going to be a massive crowd," Hansen said.

"I remember last year, even though I wasn't playing, I had butterflies while watching the boys run out in front of 70-odd thousand people.

"I'm trying to keep it normal but you do know deep down it's a big game and you just want to play well."

North Melbourne will hold an open training session this Saturday (September 12, 2015) at Arden Street from 11.15am-12.00pm.