North Melbourne will need to replace co-captain Jy Simpkin ahead of its Round 3 clash with Hawthorn, after the midfielder accepted a one-match suspension for striking Fremantle's Caleb Serong.

Third-year Roo Will Phillips shapes as a potential inclusion, despite not playing at any level over the weekend.

The young midfielder served as the substitute during the Round 1 match against West Coast and was quickly injected into the game due to the injury sustained by Tristan Xerri.

Midfielder Daniel Howe, who made his debut for the club as the substitute against Fremantle, could be promoted into the starting 22 to face his former club.

Howe, who played 87 games under Alastair Clarkson among his 96 for Hawthorn, gathered eight disposals, two inside 50s and two clearances after he replaced Paul Curtis at half-time last Saturday night. 

Curtis fell ill during the team's trip to Perth but has since recovered, and looks likely to retain his position in the forward line.

After both dealing with shoulder issues, Darcy Tucker and Jack Mahony featured in the VFL last weekend with the latter returning to the field for the first time in over a month.

As a hybrid midfielder, Tucker could be a suitable Simpkin replacement, but the selection committee may be cautious of unveiling him in the senior team too early, the 26-year-old having just overcome a string of setbacks.

Charlie Lazzaro collected 21 disposals and six clearances in the reserves' 20-point defeat to Port Melbourne and could potentially make his season debut, while no.4 pick George Wardlaw looks set to continue building his game time in the VFL before being considered for a call-up.

Backmen Aaron Hall, Blake Drury, Lachie Young and Flynn Perez all had positive outings against Port Melbourne but considering the strength of the AFL side's defensive contingent at the moment, changes in that area seem unlikely.