North Melbourne could get its captain back before the bye according to Brent Harvey. Speaking on Channel Seven’s Game Day, the Roo veteran hopes his skipper will only need to brief hit-out in the VFL before making his AFL return.

"I hope he only plays a half in the twos and comes straight back in the ones, that means he'll be ready for the Gold Coast game at Etihad Stadium."

North plays the Suns in Round 7 and will have a break the following week before facing Brisbane in Round 9. If Swallow needs more time to build up his fitness in the lower level, it will mean a likely return against the Lions, not the Suns – meaning a return to AFL could still be four weeks away.

But Harvey believes players like Swallow can return to the top very quickly.

"He's training really well, joining in the drills the last couple of weeks. I think he only needs one game in the twos, when you're a bloody good player like him.”

Swallow ruptured his achilles last year and has ramped up his recovery in recent weeks with sprinting and main skills forming part of his rehabilitation program.

Meanwhile Harvey says star midfielder Daniel Wells should be passed fit to play against Fremantle despite a bruised foot.

"He'll be right, he'll travel to Perth," Harvey said.

"He'll play next week."

While getting their leader back and making sure Wells is fit and ready is one thing, addressing some on-field concerns is another for the Kangaroos. Playing with some consistency is a focus at Arden Street regardless of the venue.

Harvey admitted North is better-performed at Etihad Stadium and doesn’t play its best at the MCG. The Roos have won four of their past 11 games at the MCG since 2009, compared to 11 of 14 at Etihad.

"We don't play enough football there, that's the problem. We love getting on the MCG.

"The young boys out there yesterday, looking at the stands, it was absolutely superb just to watch them take it all in. Some of the guys hadn't played there before. Then you go to Etihad, you've got a closed roof, and we're so used to it."