North Melbourne has named arguably its best available lineup for Saturday’s clash against Richmond.
Brad Scott has recalled Shaun Higgins, Daniel Wells, Nick Dal Santo and Luke McDonald to the side that defeated Hawthorn a fortnight ago.
20 players from the 22 that took part in last year’s Preliminary Final will be in action, with Levi Greenwood (traded) and Nathan Grima (back) the only notable absentees.
The forward-line will be led by Drew Petrie, with Mason Wood, Ben Brown and Aaron Black potentially fighting it out as the remaining talls.
At the other end of the ground, Robbie Tarrant and Joel Tippett will be continuing to push their case for defensive roles come round one.
Of those to miss last year’s finals’ campaign, Brad McKenzie and Leigh Adams are looking to impress.
Saturday’s match looms as a defining test of where the Kangaroos are at, with Richmond coming off a big win over Port Adelaide and looking to continue its good form.
The Tigers have recalled skipper Trent Cotchin among a similarly strong outfit.
North's 27-man squad is still to be trimmed with three emergencies confirmed 90 minutes before the match.
North Melbourne 27-man squad
2 Brad McKenzie
3 Ryan Bastinac
4 Shaun Higgins
5 Ben Jacobs
7 Jack Ziebell
8 Daniel Wells
9 Andrew Swallow
10 Ben Cunnington
11 Michael Firrito
12 Lindsay Thomas
13 Leigh Adams
15 Nick Dal Santo
16 Scott Thompson
18 Shaun Atley
19 Sam Wright
20 Drew Petrie
21 Luke McDonald
22 Todd Goldstein
25 Robbie Tarrant
29 Brent Harvey
32 Mason Wood
34 Jamie MacMillan
35 Aaron Black
36 Joel Tippett
40 Kayne Turner
43 Sam Gibson
50 Ben Brown
Richmond
2 Grimes Dylan
3 Deledio Brett
4 Martin Dustin
5 Ellis Brandon
6 Grigg Shaun
8 Riewoldt Jack
9 Cotchin Trent
10 Edwards Shane
11 Batchelor Jake
12 Astbury David
13 Petterd Ricky
14 Houli Bachar
18 Rance Alex
20 Maric Ivan
22 Gordon Nathan
24 Griffiths Ben
25 Chaplin Troy
27 Lloyd Sam
28 Hunt Taylor
29 Vickery Tyrone
30 Conca Reece
31 Vlastuin Nick
33 McIntosh Kamdyn
35 Lennon Ben
36 McDonough Matthew
38 Morris Steven
48 Lambert Kane
