Lachie Young will make his season debut on Sunday as one of the ins for North Melbourne's clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

The defender was one of the club's most improved players last season and has been given an opportunity in Round 17 after a stretch of strong VFL performances.

He's joined by AFL debutant Cooper Harvey, the son of club great Brent, who was told on Thursday that he would be making his first appearance in the AFL.

Tristan Xerri has been named as the starting ruck following a 29-disposal, 31-hitout and 11-clearance outing against Williamstown in the VFL.

He hasn't featured in the senior side since undergoing surgery back in March for an ankle syndesmosis injury suffered against West Coast in Round 1.

Flynn Perez has also been locked in for his third AFL game of the season. The 21-year-old managed two consecutive games in May, but a concussion in Round 9 ruled him out of the following week.

As announced on Thursday night, Liam Shiels (calf/plantaris) and Will Phillips (omitted) will miss the trip to Geelong.

Todd Goldstein, Miller Bergman and Jack Ziebell have also made way, with Ziebell to serve as the tactical substitute.

North Melbourne will be wearing a limited-edition clash strip for its game against the Cats, and fans can bid on the match-worn guernseys here.