Co-captain Jy Simpkin will miss North Melbourne's trip to the Top End to play Gold Coast in Round 9 after being sidelined with soreness.

Simpkin is among three outs for the Kangaroos as they prepare to travel to Darwin, along with youngster Zane Duursma and defender Toby Pink, who have been omitted.

Hugh Greenwood, Will Phillips and Charlie Lazzaro come in to replace the trio.

Greenwood will play his third game of the season, having last featured at AFL level against Geelong in Round 5. 

Lazzaro played six of the first seven games and has impressed in his subsequent VFL appearances, picking up coaches' votes in the Roos' three-point loss to Sandringham last weekend. 

Phillips will look to seize another opportunity to secure a first team spot after being omitted following the Round 7 match against the Crows. 

Greenwood and Lazzaro have been named on this week's interchange bench alongside Blake Drury, Riley Hardeman and Liam Shiels. One of the five will be named substitute an hour ahead of Saturday's opening bounce.

Duursma, Pink and Eddie Ford are this week's emergencies.