Having been cleared to return from an ankle injury, key defender Kallan Dawson is right in the mix to slot back into the senior line-up for Saturday's clash against Yartapuulti/Port Adelaide.

His latest appearance came back in Gather Round against the Lions on April 5, before he went down with ligament damage during a training session before the trip to Geelong in Round 5.

With Miller Bergman sidelined with a hamstring strain, Alastair Clarkson and the match committee may consider a direct switch in order to combat a Power forward line that includes the versatile trio of Mitch Georgiades, Jeremy Finlayson, and Todd Marshall.

06:25

AFL R10 match highlights: Essendon v North Melbourne

The Bombers and Kangaroos clash in Round 10

Forward Cooper Harvey is pushing for his first AFL game of the season after being one of North Melbourne's best in the VFL over the weekend.

He tallied 12 touches, six tackles, and two goal assists in the loss to the Bombers at Windy Hill and could come into consideration for the trip across the Bass Strait.

Will Phillips was the Roos' most prolific in the reserves' clash, racking up 24 touches and six clearances through the middle, while Dylan Stephens found the footy 19 times playing off half-back.

05:58

VFL R8 match highlights: Essendon v North Melbourne

The Bombers and Kangaroos clash in Round 8

Young back Riley Hardeman poses as another possible replacement for Bergman.

The dashing defender made three senior appearances before being omitted ahead of the Round 10 bout with Essendon and may be in the frame for an immediate recall after 14 touches and four rebound 50s for the reserves.

Jackson Archer could be included if he manages to shake off an ankle injury that kept him out of last week's game.

Hugh Greenwood also faces a test later in the week as he attempts to overcome an Achilles complaint, while Brayden George (shoulder) is slated to return to action this weekend with the VFL the likely path for the 2022 draftee.