Alastair Clarkson says veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein took his opening round omission in good faith, and he's ready to slot straight back in on Saturday night.

Tristan Xerri was preferred against West Coast on the back of a strong summer, and began brightly with five disposals and nine hitouts in the first term.

However his right ankle was soon trapped in a tackle from Eagles captain Luke Shuey, leading to a syndesmosis injury that saw him go in for surgery on Tuesday.

It has left the door ajar for Goldstein, who was one of the dominant players on the ground in the North Melbourne reserves' practice game against Williamstown.

"He's good as gold, and he was good as gold last week," Clarkson told reporters at Melbourne Airport on Friday morning.

"He understands that every club at this point in time is trying to make the decision whether they'll play two rucks or one.

"How much run they've got in their team as opposed to having two big fellas, and where they think they're going to get an advantage.

"Last week we chose to go with the one, and that meant Goldy missed out."

The Kangaroos saw out the game with midfielder Hugh Greenwood and forward Charlie Comben taking turns.

Barring another stroke of misfortune, they will take a more conventional approach to centre bounces this week, but Clarkson reaffirmed that Xerri is the man for the long-term.

"We're so fortunate with 'Big X' going out injured that we've got Goldy in the wings," Clarkson reflected.

"It wasn't like he was in terrible form, we just decided to go with one ruck.

"He's actually been Big X's mentor over the last four or five years, so he knows at some point in time he's going to hand over that mantle to his understudy."

Plenty of eyes will be trained on the Roos' top pick Harry Sheezel, after his first-up performance won him a Rising Star nomination.

The 18-year-old blew away observers with 34 disposals and nine marks from the half-back flank, a position he had picked up only a fortnight earlier.

The coach said the performance was built on the back of Sheezel's work ethic, and implied he can see the Roos' other recruits having a similar impact when they get the call-up.

"It didn't surprise us," Clarkson shrugged.

"Of all the young lads we've brought in, three or four haven't played that we're hoping will get an opportunity pretty soon.

"We've been really pleased with the way they've applied themselves, and Harry's been demonstrating those tendencies in his footy over the last two or three years, you know."

Clarkson confirmed Sheezel will reprise his role on Saturday night, but added that he already shapes as a potential game-changer on another lines.

"He's got the capability to play in three parts of the ground, which is really good for us," he set out.

"At the present time, him playing in the backline is what suits us and he'll start there tomorrow, but we know full well if we can't kick a goal we'll shift him forward."

The Kangaroos coach cautioned against underestimating Saturday night's opposition in Fremantle, despite its defeat to Ross Lyon's resurgent St Kilda on Sunday night.

Justin Longmuir's team could muster only seven goals, with five having come before half-time.

"They were really impressive, the Saints, and we shouldn't be surprised with the way Ross has coached over a long period of time," Clarkson mused.

"Having said that, Fremantle had 65 inside 50s and just couldn't convert those opportunities … I dare say if we allow 65 entries we're going to be in a bit of strife.

"I'm sure Fremantle will want to do a lot better than they did last week."