The majority of North Melbourne’s youngsters will begin their VFL campaigns on Saturday as North Ballarat face Collingwood at Victoria Park (telecast live on ABC TV).

Taylor Garner will look to build on a promising pre-season which saw him rewarded with an outing in the Kangaroos’ final practice match against Hawthorn at Craigieburn.

Development coach Josh Drummond said Garner is being groomed to play a forward/midfield role. Against a Collingwood outfit likely to feature several AFL-listed players including Dale Thomas, it will be a good test for North’s first selection in the 2012 National Draft.

Brad McKenzie will be leaned on by Roosters coach Gerard Fitzgerald to provide some run through the midfield. It has been a new role after spending the majority of his debut season across half-back.  Drummond has been impressed with the way the 19-year-old has worked his way into the new position.

Aaron Black was a key member of the North Ballarat side when it won at Victoria Park last season. The forward was praised by Brad Scott at a media conference during the week, and another strong performance at the same venue could have him knocking on the door of the senior side.

Meanwhile Werribee will look to make it two successive wins behind Daniel Currie and North’s key-position players. Currie was dominant in the Tigers’ season opener, giving Liston Medal fancy Jarred Moore first use along with Levi Greenwood and Jordan Gysberts.

Majak Daw’s 2-goal, 12-possession game in Round 1 earned him another spot as an emergency for North’s Round 2 team against Geelong, showing he isn’t far away from a senior debut.

According to Werribee coach Scott West, Daw will be playing the forward/ruck role, similar to what he would play in the seniors if he gets a game. Under lights at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday night, he’ll make another claim to be selected for the Kangaroos.

Collingwood v North Ballarat
1:10pm, ABCTV
Victoria Park

North Ballarat
B: Cam Delaney, Luke Delaney, Hoy
HB: Mitch Wilkins, Searl, Max Warren
C: Ben Jacobs, Clifton, Austin
HF: Tom Curran, Driscoll, Nichols
F: Cam Richardson, Aaron Black, Taylor Garner
Fol: Ben Mabon, Sewell, George
Int From: Keeble, Liam Anthony, Kiel, Rippon*, Darmody, Linke, Schache, Brad McKenzie, Giampaolo

Werribee v Northern Blues
7:00pm
Avalon Airport Oval

Werribee
B: Castello, Wilson, Meredith
HB: Jordie Gysberts, Ayden Kennedy, Tim McGenniss
C: Ross, Adams, Will Sierakowski
HF: Maric, Warren, Mason Wood
F: Jarred Moore, Clouston, Majak Daw
Fol: Daniel Currie, Levi Greenwood, Taylor Hine
Int From: Keras, Graham, Laracy, Mather, Wormald, Ross, Davis, Brown, Luke McDonald, Martiniello, Sherlock, Sharp, Ruggles