With defender Griffin Logue ruled out for the season and co-captain Jy Simpkin sidelined due to concussion protocols, North Melbourne will be forced to make at least two changes before taking on Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium.

Six straight wins at the VFL level leaves interim senior coach Brett Ratten and the match committee with several call-up options, as the club targets competitiveness following consecutive deflating losses.

However, despite not featuring at any level last weekend, George Wardlaw (managed) and Liam Shiels (calf/plantaris) are the likely frontrunners for inclusion.

Wardlaw was a late withdrawal on Sunday, missing his first game since debuting in Round 10, but the tenacious onballer is eyeing a return to action this week, as is Shiels who is "trending well" and will test on Friday.

Will Phillips responded to his AFL omission with eight tackles, five clearances and a game-high 30 disposals against the Cats in the VFL and is a chance to be recalled, while Ben Cunnington could add some midfield grunt against the Hawks after gathering 26 touches and seven clearances in the 43-point win in Geelong.

Dan Howe and Curtis Taylor continued to chip away in the reserves and could also be considered, collecting 23 and 25 disposals respectively, with Howe also earning eight clearances.

Kallan Dawson shapes as a potential replacement for Logue following the defender's ACL rupture last Sunday.

Dawson made four senior appearances during the back-end of 2022 but is yet to make his 2023 debut despite enjoying a solid reserves campaign, averaging 14 disposals and 4.9 marks per game over 14 matches.

Young backmen Josh Goater (23 disposals, eight marks in the VFL against Geelong), Miller Bergman (17 disposals, two goals) and Jackson Archer (15 disposals, seven marks) could also be considered if Ratten and the match committee opt to take a smaller backline into Round 18.

Veteran Jack Ziebell is another defender who could be selected to start on Sunday, after serving as the tactical substitute against Geelong and replacing Logue in the opening term.

Mid-season draft selection Robert Hansen jnr edged closer towards an AFL debut after booting four goals from nine touches in the VFL. The 19-year-old from Western Australia may be a beneficiary if the selectors choose to shake up the forward line mix.