North Melbourne defender Jamie Macmillan will be "fighting for his life" in Saturday night's clash with Melbourne, determined to hold onto his place in the side leading into finals.
The 22-year-old has not played an AFL game in 20 weeks after fracturing his fibula in April but makes a timely return to the side one week out from North's finals campaign.
With Todd Goldstein, Levi Greenwood, Luke McDonald, Lindsay Thomas and Michael Firrito all set to return for the club's elimination final, Macmillan and teammate Lachlan Hansen understand what's on the line at Etihad Stadium against the Demons.
"If we don't perform we know that this week we've got some guys that have been managed and they'll be coming back in so we've got to fight for our lives this weekend for sure," Macmillan said at Aegis Park on Friday afternoon.
Macmillan had a solid four to five-week training block before pushing his way into the side after two solid hit-outs for Werribee in the VFL.
"That's all I've been waiting for is to get that one opportunity to come back in and hopefully I can take it this week and I'll be doing everything to do that," Macmillan said.
Hansen missed three weeks with a hip injury and was a late withdrawal against Adelaide last week, but the key defender is adamant he is fully fit leading into September.
"I was allowed to do the full training and pulled up a lot better (this week) so there's no concerns there, I'll be fine to play tomorrow night," Hansen said.
Goldstein, McDonald, Firrito and the suspended Brent Harvey all went through a series of run-throughs on the outer side of the Arden Street ground, as they look to maintain their conditioning ahead of next week.
Harvey is ineligible to play in what shapes as a likely elimination final against Essendon, but will return if the Kangaroos progress.
Meanwhile, the Kangaroos are in the running to lure Carlton forward Jarrad Waite away from Visy Park having reportedly spoken with him and his management about playing at North next year.
Hansen would support the move, saying the veteran forward had given him a touch up when the teams faced off in round 18 earlier this year.
"He's a pretty good player because I played on him a few weeks ago and he kicked a bag on me so I wouldn't be saying no to that," Hansen said.
For the record, Waite kicked four majors on the night and was close to best afield.
