Shaun Atley has been dropped from the team that lost to Collingwood, joining Luke McDonald and Kayne Turner as the omissions for Sunday’s match.
The trio are out at the expense of Scott McMahon, Ben Jacobs, and as confirmed on Thursday, skipper Andrew Swallow.
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Atley last played at VFL level in 2012, and could make an appearance for North Ballarat if he’s not selected as a travelling emergency.
It ends a run of 80 consecutive games for the running defender.
McMahon has not played for North since round 18 of last year and has played just 16 games over the previous two seasons.
His good form in the VFL has been rewarded with a call-up.
“When you talk about not dropping your bundle and going about your business and looking after the things you have control of, his (McMahon’s) attitude’s been great,” interim coach Darren Crocker said on Thursday.
“It’s a really good story that after being absent from the senior team for such a long time, he’s been able to work away and chip away.”
After a week at North Ballarat, Jacobs has been included for his eighth game of the year.
The number has averaged 21 disposals in a new defensive role this season.
Atley, Mason Wood and Majak Daw will be the emergencies for the clash against the Eagles.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson said the inclusion of Swallow makes the trip to Blundstone Arena even tougher.
“Having the captain back in the side just adds a little bit of stability in their midfield in particular, so we’re aware of what they (the Kangaroos) do and how they go about it and what they can achieve – that’s why it’s a really big test for us,” Simpson said on Friday.
“I watched the game in detail against Collingwood and I saw their best, and that’s what we looked at.”
North Melbourne team
Backs L.Hansen 6 S.Thompson 16 M.Firrito 11
Half Backs S.Wright 19 R.Tarrant 25 J.Macmillan 34
Centreline B.Harvey 29 A.Swallow 9 S.Gibson 43
Half Forwards S.Higgins 4 J.Waite 30 R.Bastinac 3
Forwards L.Thomas 12 D.Petrie 20 R.Nahas 28
Followers T.Goldstein 22 B.Cunnington 10 J.Ziebell 7
Interchange B.Jacobs 5 T.Dumont 14 S.McMahon 42 B.Brown 50
Emergencies S.Atley 18 M.Wood 32 M.Daw 38
In: A.Swallow , S.McMahon , B.Jacobs
Out: S.Atley (Omitted) , L.McDonald (Omitted) , K.Turner (Omitted)
West Coast team
Backs S.Butler 26 J.McGovern 20 S.Hurn 25
Half Backs J.Nelson 30 W.Schofield 31 E.Yeo 6
Centreline J.Cripps 15 M.Priddis 11 S.Wellingham 12
Half Forwards A.Gaff 3 C.Sinclair 22 C.Masten 7
Forwards M.LeCras 2 J.Kennedy 17 J.Hill 33
Followers N.Naitanui 9 L.Duggan 14 L.Shuey 13
Interchange F.McInnes 36 D.Sheed 4 S.Selwood 10 B.Sheppard 5
Emergencies J.Bennell 44 B.Colledge 21 M.Hutchings 34
In: E.Yeo , D.Sheed
Out: J.Bennell (Omitted) , B.Colledge (Omitted)
