After missing three consecutive games due to a hamstring strain, budding midfielder George Wardlaw is a chance to return to the senior line-up for Saturday's game against Essendon.

Wardlaw will face a test later in the week. If fit and selected, he'll join retiring club champion Ben Cunnington – who has been locked in for a farewell game – as an inclusion to face the Bombers.

It will be Cunnington's ninth senior appearance of 2023 and first since Round 8.

The mature-aged duo of Dan Howe and Hugh Greenwood will also be looking for call-ups following their individual performances in the VFL against Footscray.

Howe collected a team-high 25 disposals and slotted four goals at ETU Stadium, while Greenwood was combative at the contest with 12 tackles and nine clearances.

Lachie Young (24 disposals, four clearances) was solid in his half-back role in the reserves and has raised his hand for a recall after being omitted from the AFL team in the lead-up to Round 21 against the Demons.

Miller Bergman (19 disposals, three tackles in the VFL) and Flynn Perez (14 disposals, two marks) are also rebounding defender options for senior coach Alastair Clarkson and the match committee.

However, Perez and Aiden Bonar (19 disposals, six marks) were on high rotations as they return from knee injuries, and the pair could be kept at VFL level for now to build their game loads.

Kallan Dawson may be brought in for a season debut if North Melbourne opt for more height to combat an Essendon line-up that could contain Peter Wright, Kyle Langford, Nick Bryan, and Andrew Phillips. Dawson laid some forceful tackles and collected 18 disposals and 11 marks in the reserves.

Midfielder Tom Powell faces a fitness test as he continues to deal with a niggling ITB issue, but could be considered for senior selection if given the green light.