The Kangaroos will be forced to make at least one change heading into their Round 6 clash with Gold Coast, with co-captain Jy Simpkin to miss due to a hand fracture.

The midfielder came from the field in Mount Barker in the second quarter having experienced discomfort, and was substituted out of the clash at half-time.

"It's just going to be a matter of not sweating for the initial week just so that the wound doesn’t get infected, and then how he copes with function and soreness getting into week two," head of performance Kevin White told NMFC Media on Tuesday.

His replacement in that game, Hugh Greenwood, is a front-runner to return to the starting team.

The hard-nosed onballer gathered 10 disposals and two clearances after he was injected into the game against Brisbane and would add much-needed experience to the midfield with Simpkin going out.

After collecting 29 disposals, six tackles and six inside 50s against Sydney in the VFL, Charlie Lazzaro has also put himself right in the mix for a senior call-up.

The 21-year-old has been one of the main midfield contributors in Tom Lynch's reserves team this season, and could be in line for his first AFL game of 2023.

Forward Paul Curtis responded to his omission for Gather Round with an impressive five goals and 20 disposals against the Swans in Blacktown. His ability to get his teammates involved with unselfish play was also a standout en route to the VFL team's 42-point win.

While a damaging forward, Curtis offers another pinch-hit midfield option for senior coach Alastair Clarkson should he and the match committee opt for a straight switch with Simpkin.

With the backline having conceded 33 marks inside 50 to the Lions in Round 5, it may be in for a switch-up given the output from a host of defenders in the VFL.

Aaron Hall (37 disposals, one goal, nine inside 50s, eight marks) continued to have a significant impact off half-back in the reserves, while Miller Bergman (26 disposals, nine marks) and Josh Goater (20 disposals, nine marks) could also win recalls.