North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has defended the decision to sub out Will Phillips at three-quarter time and replace him with Jaidyn Stephenson, despite the midfielder producing a strong first-half performance on Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos. 

"He was doing a good job, but we had the freshness of the sub and Will was starting to fatigue a little bit. We just thought the freshness of the sub (was an advantage). Liam Shiels tried to finish that job off," Clarkson told reporters in his press conference. 

"When you don't win you sit there and ask, 'Was that pivotal?' I don't think it was pivotal in terms of the final result. We just wanted to use the freshness of the sub."

The Kangaroos celebrated the 25-year anniversary of the 1999 premiership win over Carlton on Sunday, with master coach Denis Pagan spending time at the club this week, sharing memories that made that team so successful. 

"Denis has been around the club this week, which has been really special for both him and the footy club, recognising the past of our footy club because that helps show what it takes going forward," Clarkson said. 

"It is now about our lads that have the opportunity now to wear the guernsey to try and write their own chapter. We’ve got a fair way to go, but we showed today against a really, really good side today that we're capable of being able to mix it against some of these sides.

"We've just got to be able to sustain it for four quarters. Our first half was outstanding. The third quarter the game started to turn, it was six goals to four in favour of Collingwood and it just gave them enough of a sniff. They are a terrific side. We've just got to learn how to cope with the pressure when it comes."

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North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin was a late out after injuring his hamstring at the end of training on Friday. The midfielder is a chance to be available against Melbourne next Saturday night at the MCG. 

Highly rated young gun Brayden George suffered a suspected second anterior cruciate ligament tear in the VFL at the AIA Centre on Sunday morning in what could be another heartbreaking setback for a player who was closing in on a debut after recovering from a knee reconstruction in his first year at Arden Street and elbow surgery over the pre-season.

"I've heard he's hurt his knee, which is just so sad for the kid if that is the case. He has worked so hard. Then the gym accident over the summer. He has done it tough, but this is a tough, brutal game. You need to be resilient," he said.

"He probably only needs to look at someone like a Charlie Comben and the amount of injuries he's had over the journey to show if you persevere and get your body strong you can come back. Hopefully he can stick tough and stick fat through this tough period."