North Melbourne has made just one change to the team that defeated Melbourne last Sunday, welcoming back defender Michael Firrito for Saturday's clash against St Kilda at Blundstone Arena.
The 31-year-old, who served his one-game suspension for striking Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer in round 18, is included at the expense of fellow defender Aaron Mullett.
Roos coach Brad Scott said Firrito would add some further experience in the team's back six.
"He's been a really consistent and reliable player for us this year … and the other defenders are rapt to have him back and the match committee are rapt to have him back, too," Scott told NMFC.com.au on Thursday.
"He's a heart and soul North player, he plays with great intensity and he's got the ability to be both a penetrating defender for us and a defender with a hard edge who can play on the opposition's best forwards."
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Scott confirmed Mullett, who this week signed a two-year contract extension, would play for VFL affiliate North Ballarat this Saturday after being activated as the substitute against the Demons last week.
The Roos' coach said Mullett's omission from the squad was based purely on the need to bring in Firrito's 247-games' experience.
"When a player's omitted, usually there's a pretty good reason for it and there's some feedback that you can give that player … but that's not the case for Aaron, he's just unlucky," Scott said.
"We were really reluctant to leave him out, but in the end he was the unlucky player to miss."
Livewire Kayne Turner and tall Mason Wood have also been added as emergencies for the match against the Saints.
Scott said Wood was inching closer to being given the nod on the back of his consistent VFL performances.
"We were really pleased with his game last week for Werribee. (He took) 14 marks and was really strong in the contest," he said.
"He's had some really clear focus areas to work on and those particular areas have improved out of sight in the last couple of weeks, so he's right back in the selection frame."
North will be aiming to secure its sixth consecutive win since round 15 and its sixth straight win at its second home base in Hobart when it takes on the Saints.
The Roos travel to Blundstone Arena for the third and final time this season, following games against Richmond (round six) and West Coast (round 10).
North team
Backs M.Firrito 11 R.Tarrant 25 L.Hansen 6
Half Backs S.Wright 19 S.Thompson 16 B.Jacobs 5
Centreline N.Dal Santo 15 J.Ziebell 7 S.Atley 18
Half Forwards S.Gibson 43 D.Petrie 20 B.Harvey 29
Forwards S.Higgins 4 J.Waite 30 L.Thomas 12
Followers T.Goldstein 22 B.Cunnington 10 A.Swallow 9
Interchange L.McDonald 21 T.Garner 27 R.Nahas 28 B.Brown 50
Emergencies M.Wood 32 K.Turner 40 A.Mullett 41
In: M.Firrito
Out: A.Mullett (Omitted)
St Kilda team
Backs S.Gilbert 19 S.Fisher 25 S.Dempster 24
Half Backs J.Geary 14 H.Goddard 33 N.Wright 34
Centreline B.Acres 8 D.Armitage 20 J.Newnes 16
Half Forwards S.Ross 6 N.Riewoldt 12 M.Weller 44
Forwards D.Minchington 41 J.Bruce 27 J.Sinclair 40
Followers B.Longer 18 J.Steven 3 L.Montagna 11
Interchange T.Hickey 1 D.Roberton 17 J.Webster 29 J.Saunders 35
Emergencies F.Ray 22 T.Membrey 28 C.Shenton 39
In: J.Webster , B.Longer , J.Saunders , D.Minchington
Out: S.Savage (Hip), D.McKenzie (Concussion), P.McCartin (Soreness), J.Lonie (Leg)
