Defenders Griffin Logue and Colby McKercher could make their returns to the AFL side this weekend after two appearances each in the VFL.

Logue played managed minutes in his long-awaited comeback from an ACL injury against Casey in Round 13, and played out the full reserves' clash against Footscray on Saturday, finishing with seven intercepts and four marks.

McKercher has been on a similar return plan since returning from a bone stress issue he picked up in Round 9 against the Suns in Darwin.

The young back was arguably North Melbourne's best in the VFL loss to the Bulldogs, racking up two goals from 26 disposals in greasy conditions.

Hugh Greenwood has put himself in the frame for a recall after notching game-highs for clearances (12) and tackles (13).

He and Charlie Lazzaro both collected 25 touches, with Lazzaro grabbing 11 tackles and 11 clearances of his own.

For the second consecutive week, Jaidyn Stephenson lined up at half-back for Tom Lynch's VFL side. He accumulated 19 disposals, six marks, six tackles, and six rebound 50s as he looks to break back into the senior team.

High-flying forward Finnbar Maley continues to knock on the door for an AFL debut and could get a look-in after booting two goals from two contested grabs and 10 disposals.

Robert Hansen jnr backed up his stellar performance at Casey Fields with 10 touches, four marks, and a goal against Footscray, but what was more notable was his capacity to apply pressure inside forward 50 where he laid four tackles for the contest (an equal game-high).

Fellow forward Cooper Harvey may be on senior coach Alastair Clarkson and the match committee's radar after 20 possessions and a goal, while Zane Duursma (14 disposals, four clearances) also showed some positive signs in the wet at Arden Street Oval on Saturday.