Edwards, who has served an eight week club imposed suspension, will slip straight back into the Kangaroos' side after some good form at VFL level.
North Melbourne veteran Adam Simpson threw his support behind his teammate earlier in the week, saying the big forward will have no trouble returning to big stage.
"He's been really good for such a long spell out, you'd think you could waver a bit but I haven't seen anything like that." the former skipper told kangaroos.com.au on Tuesday.
The Kangaroos have struggled to kick big scores in the early part of the season, but with the return to form of David Hale and Edwards’ inclusion; their forward line will give Richmond's defenders a big challenge.
Coach Dean Laidley has also included South Australian youngster Levi Greenwood in the line up after the 20 year-old collected 27 possessions for Werribee last week.
Greenwood has been on the cusp of selection on several occasions over the past two seasons and finally gets his chance as a hard working in and under defender.
After an impressive debut against Essendon which saw him amass 13 possessions and 7 marks, Ben Warren has been handed another opportunity.
Livewire Matt Campbell will miss a week with a hamstring strain and Daniel Wells will sit out another game with his hip injury still troubling him slightly.
North Melbourne Chief of Football Donald McDonald said while the loss of Campbell is disappointing, it was the right move to get him right for next week and the rest of the season.
"It's just an edema (fluid build-up) there," he said. "With it being a short week it hasn't helped." McDonald told kangaroos.com.au
"We've just ruled him out nice and early to get him right for the following week."
Josh Smith has been omitted despite showing plenty of potential in his three games this season.
B: Josh Gibson (38) Scott Thompson (16) Daniel Pratt (30)
HB: Levi Greenwood (24) Lachlan Hansen (6) Scott McMahon (42)
C: Leigh Harding (39) Michael Firrito (11) Gavin Urquhart (14)
HF: Ben Warren (35) Drew Petrie (20) Brent Harvey (29)
F: Lindsay Thomas (12) Aaron Edwards (27) David Hale (31)
R: Hamish McIntosh (1) Jack Ziebell (19)
Andrew Swallow (9)
INT: Ed Lower (2) Brady Rawlings (3) Sam Power (5) Adam Simpson (7)
EMER: Josh Smith (18), Daniel Harris (4) , Ben Ross (15)
In: Greenwood (debutant), Edwards
Out: Smith, Campbell
