Rising Star contender George Wardlaw will miss Saturday's game against the Western Bulldogs after suffering a knock during training.

Wardlaw, who was initially assessed for a shoulder injury but later reported symptoms consistent with a head knock, will now complete mandatory concussion protocols.

He is the only exclusion from North Melbourne's side that went desperately close to a second win for the season against the Demons last weekend.

Kallan Dawson replaces the young midfielder, having served a one-match suspension for striking Collingwood's Jack Crisp in Round 14.

Luke Davies-Uniacke will start in the centre as he celebrates his 100-game milestone, while Charlie Comben has been named at full-back, after earning a two-year contract extension earlier in the week.

Dawson has been named on the interchange bench alongside Will Phillips, Curtis Taylor, Dylan Stephens and Zac Fisher. One of the five will be named substitute an hour before Saturday's opening bounce.

General admission tickets are still available for the Marvel Stadium clash, which kids aged 14 and under can access for free as the AFL kicks off Kids Go Free month.

Riley Hardeman, Tyler Sellers and Robert Hansen Jnr are this week's emergencies.