North Melbourne has made two changes to the side that defeated Fremantle on Sunday, welcoming back Jack Ziebell (suspension) and Taylor Garner.
Ziebell copped a one-match ban for striking the Saints’ Jack Newnes in Round 20, but is set to face the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.
Garner was rested for last week’s match after an extended spell at AFL level, and will return refreshed for his seventh game of the year.
Lindsay Thomas (foot) and Luke McDonald (general soreness) are out of the Roos’ side, with Mason Wood, Kayne Turner and Aaron Mullett named as emergencies.
Daniel Wells will spend at least another week at VFL level, despite Brad Scott hinting he could be a chance to play earlier on Thursday afternoon.
"There was some consideration given to bringing him back but we feel the most prudent course of action is to give him another week at VFL level and again assess how he comes up," Scott said.
"Hopefully he'll be available for selection next week."
North team v Bulldogs
Backs M.Firrito 11 R.Tarrant 25 S.Atley 18
Half Backs S.Wright 19 S.Thompson 16 N.Dal Santo 15
Centreline J.Macmillan 34 J.Ziebell 7 B.Jacobs 5
Half Forwards S.Higgins 4 D.Petrie 20 B.Harvey 29
Forwards B.Brown 50 J.Waite 30 R.Nahas 28
Followers T.Goldstein 22 B.Cunnington 10 A.Swallow 9
Interchange R.Bastinac 3 L.Hansen 6 T.Garner 27 S.Gibson 43
Emergencies M.Wood 32 K.Turner 40 A.Mullett 41
In: J.Ziebell , T.Garner
Out: L.Thomas (Foot) , L.McDonald (General Soreness)
Bulldogs team v North
Backs D.Morris 38 J.Roughead 23 Z.Cordy 12
Half Backs M.Boyd 5 J.Hamling 30 E.Wood 10
Centreline R.Murphy 2 J.Macrae 11 S.Biggs 24
Half Forwards L.Dahlhaus 6 T.Dickson 29 S.Crameri 8
Forwards L.Hunter 7 J.Stringer 9 L.Picken 42
Followers J.Redpath 43 M.Wallis 3 M.Bontempelli 4
Interchange J.Grant 1 L.Webb 19 M.Honeychurch 22 J.Johannisen 39
Emergencies T.Boyd 17 C.Daniel 35 L.Jong 46
In: M.Boyd , L.Picken , J.Roughead , M.Honeychurch , L.Webb , Z.Cordy
Out: T.Campbell (Thigh) , M.Talia (Ankle) , D.Pearce (Omitted) , C.Daniel (Omitted) , L.Jong (Omitted) , R.Smith (Omitted)
