The AFL advises it has been kept informed by the North Melbourne FC of its plans around selection for this weekend's round 23 match against Richmond.

Under the AFL Rules, as detailed earlier this week, North Melbourne is entitled to consider the management of injury and fatigue for its players before the upcoming Toyota AFL Finals series.

The rule states that:
Clubs must at all times perform honestly and to the best of their ability in the pursuit only of legitimate competitive objectives. For the avoidance of doubt “legitimate competitive objective” includes the development of the team or players or management of player fatigue or injuries but does not include improving a Club’s draft position, improving a Club’s position with respect to a potential Player exchange or manipulating a Club’s position on the ladder for the purpose of improving its draw within the Finals Series.

It was the AFL’s view that the North Melbourne side, having had consecutive six-day breaks, was legitimately managing the fatigue and injury status for their players ahead of the finals next week.

The objective facts and possible combinations of results over the weekend indicate that the club does not have an incentive to lose tomorrow night to manipulate its draw in the finals. As such, the AFL is satisfied North Melbourne’s team selection decisions are in pursuit of legitimate competitive objectives.