Melbourne has opted for extra height in its defence in a bid to shut down Ben Brown and Jarrad Waite.

The Demons recalled key-back Sam Frost, who will play alongside Jake Lever on the Roos’ twin towers.

"It's probably not about Jake, it's more about North Melbourne because they've got some quality talls in Jarrad Waite and Ben Brown who have been really significant players when we've played them in the past," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said on Friday.     

"We think Sam Frost is in some terrific form and we've brought him into the team."  

Brown and Waite combined for five goals when the teams last met.  

Meanwhile, the Demons omitted Cam Pedersen and speedy defender Jayden Hunt for the clash.

"It's tight for selection and we were keen to put another tall defender in Sam Frost into the team, so that made it a little bit more tighter and Jayden was the unlucky one this week,” Goodwin said.

"He took (the demotion) fantastically well and he knows he's got a few things he needs to continually work on and he knows he's not that far away as well.”

Angus Brayshaw will spend at least another week in the VFL.

"(Angus is) getting closer and he's a really important player to us," Goodwin added.     

"He hasn't played a heap of footy over an 18-month period, so when he's ready to go we'll find a way to get him into our team.”