North Melbourne key defender Joel Tippett could play on older brother Kurt in a shock preliminary final match-up.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott has flagged Tippett's stunning recall for the Friday night clash at ANZ Stadium as they try to counter the multi-pronged Swans attack.

The 25-year-old has only played for North four times this season, most recently in round 10, and has just six AFL appearances.

Brother Kurt, 27, is part of a lethal Swans forward line that also features fellow key forward Lance Franklin, two-time Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes and Sam Reid.

"Joel Tippett is someone who's probably been forgotten about a little bit," Scott told SEN on Saturday.

"He's been training really hard and he's big enough - that's the reason we recruited him.

"We thought he was the best big defender outside the AFL last year and so he's someone who's certainly an option for us."

Tippett resumed in the VFL at the end of last month after recovering from pectoral and knee problems.

"He's in the mix," Scott said.

"We've made sure we've got enough training into him.

"He's come back from that pectoral injury really well, but it's a matter of getting (his) condition up.

"He is quite athletic."

But Scott admitted he would want to sound out his Tippett first about potentially playing on his older and much more experienced brother.

Kurt has played 128 games for Adelaide and the Swans.

Asked if the two brothers had ever gone head-to-head, Scott replied: "that's an interesting one - I'd have to talk to him about how confident he'd feel, because you don't want big brother pushing little brother around."

The Roos coach said he would have no problems with Tippett's inexperience, noting first-year players Luke McDonald and Kayne Turner were playing in the finals.

"You have to have players going in with supreme confidence in their own ability," Scott said.

"I use Luke McDonald and Kayne Turner as examples of young players who, if I didn't think they had the mental wherewithal to handle the occasion, we wouldn't play them - but they certainly do."

Scott said the Swans attack was a unique challenge, but one North feel they can meet.

"These are not things that are going to be worked out in a five-minute conversation," he said.

"We're going to have to go all through our scenarios and work out what the best options for us are.”