WHERE: Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta
WHEN: Saturday, 2.05pm EDT
WATCH: Fox Footy
LISTEN: SEN Radio
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SQUADS
North Melbourne
3. Jed Anderson, 4. Shaun Higgins, 7. Jack Ziebell, 9. Andrew Swallow, 10. Ben Cunnington, 11. Michael Firrito, 12. Lindsay Thomas, 13. Ryan Clarke, 14. Trent Dumont, 16. Scott D. Thompson, 18. Shaun Atley, 19. Sam Wright, 20. Drew Petrie, 21. Luke McDonald, 25. Robbie Tarrant, 27. Taylor Garner, 29. Brent Harvey, 30. Jarrad Waite, 31. Braydon Preuss, 32. Mason Wood, 34. Jamie Macmillan, 35. Aaron Black, 36. Joel Tippett, 37. Will Fordham, 38. Majak Daw, 40. Kayne Turner, 41. Corey Wagner, 42. Declan Mountford, 44. Farren Ray
St Kilda
1. Tom Hickey, 3. Jack Steven, 4. Eli Templeton, 5. Shane Savage, 6. Sebastian Ross, 7. Luke Dunstan, 8. Blake Acres, 9. Tom Lee, 13. Jack Lonie, 15. Jack Billings, 16. Jack Newnes, 19. Sam Gilbert, 21. Luke Delaney, 22. Jade Gresham, 23. Hugh Goddard, 24. Sean Dempster, 26. Tom Curren, 27. Josh Bruce, 29. Jimmy Webster, 32. Paddy McCartin, 35. Josh Saunders, 36. Daniel McKenzie, 38. Nick Coughlan, 39. Cameron Shenton, 40. Jack Sinclair, 42. Lewis Pierce, 43. Brenton Payne, 44. Maverick Weller, 45. Jason Holmes
COACHING
North Melbourne
The Roos' coaching group has seen a few changes this year. With forwards coach Shane Watson joining Carlton at the end of last season, Brad Green has jumped on board and taken responsibility of the defensive group.
Leigh Tudor has now assumed the forwards coaching role after overseeing the onballers last year, while Josh Drummond has switched from the backline to the midfield, alongside Jarred Moore.
Darren Crocker has been promoted to the club's director of coaching.
St Kilda
The Saints' coaching structure will look vastly different this weekend, with senior coach Alan Richardson handing the reins to director of coaching and development Danny Sexton.
Senior assistant coach Adam Kingsley will then fulfil the senior coaching duties in the Saints' second NAB Challenge match against the Brisbane Lions in a fortnight.
PRE-SEASON BOLTERS
North Melbourne
Coach Brad Scott confirmed on Wednesday that former Hawk Jed Anderson, 22, will make his first official appearance for North against the Saints.
Anderson, who joined Arden St in last year's trade period, has demonstrated in the Roos' two recent intra-club matches that he'll add some much-needed run and outside polish to the squad.
St Kilda
Adding more midfield grunt has been high on the Saints' agenda this pre-season.
Midfielders Jack Billings, Jack Newnes and Blake Acres drew high praise from the Saints' coaching personnel after their intra-club match last Friday.
St Kilda will be hoping the quartet, along with the likes of fellow onballers Luke Dunstan and Seb Ross can join the club's elite midfield group this season.
THE DRAFT CLASS
North Melbourne
The Roos' match commitee named three draftees in the initial 29-man squad.
Draftee Ryan Clarke has been among the youngsters to excite this pre-season courtesy of his attack on the ball through the middle. Clarke, the No.31 selection in last year's national draft, could be given the chance to impress this weekend.
Fellow draftee Corey Wagner, the No.43 pick in last year's draft, has also transitioned well to life in the AFL system and will look to gain some invaluable game time in the club's NAB Challenge opener.
The No.60 pick, Declan Mountford, has made an early impression with his hard running in the intra-club matches and work ethic on the training track.
St Kilda
Jade Gresham, the No.18 draft selection last year, has spent his pre-season campaign training with the midfield brigade and his stoppage work has particularly stood out.
RETURNING STARS
North Melbourne
The Roos have enjoyed a good run on the injury front, with defender Robbie Tarrant, who missed last week's practice match, named to return after overcoming a slight knock to his back at training.
St Kilda
Billings regained his touch in the Saints' intra-club last week after missing the second half of last season with a shin injury.
MISSING IN ACTION
North Melbourne
The Roos have a largely healthy list to choose from, although the club has opted to rest Ben Jacobs (foot) for this week.
The 2014 draft class, including Sam Durdin, Daniel Nielson and Ed Vickers-Willis are still on the comeback trail.
Daniel Wells will be primed for the final two matches, against Collingwood and Hawthorn respectively.
“He's had a seamless preparation and we're really happy with how he's progressing,” North GM Football Operations and List Management Cameron Joyce said.
“We initially thought he'd play this week, but the fitness and conditioning staff would prefer to give him two games in a row for continuity purposes. That will allow him to put in more strength and conditioning work in the lead up to Round 1."
Ben Brown, Nick Dal Santo, Sam Gibson, Todd Goldstein and Lachlan Hansen are all expected to play later in the competition.
St Kilda
The Saints will be without several big names, with Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, David Armitage and Sam Fisher all left out of their 29-man squad.
Backman Dylan Roberton hasn't been named after rolling an ankle in the club's practice hit-out last Friday.
Recruit Nathan Freeman, who has been plagued by hamstring injuries over his two years at Collingwood, will also be a no-show after experiencing a right hamstring setback prior to the Christmas break.
