For the final match of North Melbourne's 2013 pre-season, the Kangaroos face Hawthorn at Craigieburn's Highgate Recreation Reserve in what Brad Scott has termed 'a genuine scratch match'.

Squads

North Melbourne

1. Daniel Currie, 2. Brad McKenzie, 3. Ryan Bastinac, 4. Liam Anthony, 5. Ben Jacobs, 6. Lachlan Hansen, 9. Andrew Swallow, 10. Ben Cunnington, 11. Michael Firrito, 13. Leigh Adams, 14. Jordan Gysberts, 17. Nathan Grima, 19. Sam Wright, 20. Drew Petrie, 22. Todd Goldstein, 23. Kieran Harper, 24. Levi Greenwood, 25. Robbie Tarrant, 26. Taylor Hine, 28. Will Sierakowski, 29. Brent Harvey, 31. Cam Delaney, 34. Jamie Macmillan, 35. Aaron Black, 36. Ayden Kennedy, 38. Majak Daw, 41. Aaron Mullett

Hawthorn

2. Jarryd Roughead, 3. Jordan Lewis, 5. Sam Mitchell, 6. Josh Gibson, 8. Xavier Ellis, 9. Shaun Burgoyne, 10. Bradley Hill, 12. Brad Sewell, 13. Kyle Cheney, 14. Grant Birchall, 16. Isaac Smith, 18. Brent Guerra, 19. Jack Gunston, 20. David Hale, 21. Shane Savage, 22. Luke Breust, 23. Lance Franklin, 24. Benjamin Stratton, 25. Ryan Schoenmakers, 26. Liam Shiels, 27. Matthew Spangher, 28. Paul Puopolo, 32. Jonathan Simpkin, 35. Sam Grimley, 37. Jed Anderson, 39. Max Bailey, 41. Taylor Duryea

Youth v experience

North Melbourne and Hawthorn will go into Saturday's match with two differing mindsets. Brad Scott and the North match committee have selected a team with plenty of youth, giving some inexperienced players a chance to make a name for themselves against quality opposition.

Brad McKenzie, Taylor Hine, Will Sierakowski, Cam Delaney and Ayden Kennedy are just a few of the names who will face the task of matching up on some of Hawthorn's best players.

Other than the absence of Cyril Rioli, Luke Hodge and Brian Lake, the Hawks’ team is likely to be very similar to the one North will come up against in Round 5 at the MCG. After a winless pre-season so far, the Hawks have elected to take the final hit-out seriously before facing Geelong in the season opener.

One less worry for North’s forward six will be containing the rebounding quality of Matt Suckling who recently ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the entire 2013 season.

Replacing McMahon

Of North’s seven inclusions, five are set to play in the defensive half of the ground.

With Scott McMahon unavailable for Round 1 against Collingwood (suspended for striking the Cats' Jordan Murdoch), there’s an opportunity for a player to step up and fill the void.

Nathan Grima is likely to play against the Pies depending on his fitness, which potentially leaves McKenzie, Hine, Sierakowski and Delaney battling for one spot.

Each member of the quartet offers something unique which will make for some intriguing decisions at the selection table in a fortnight.

The rucks

Todd Goldstein and Daniel Currie will be in action against Hawthorn and will be hoping to impress.

“If they can combine really well that’ll throw another element into the mix, but probably history tells us that it’s going to be tough to play two ruckmen," Scott told NMFC.com.au on Thursday.

“We’ve made sure that Goldy’s had good game time. Last week we were able to play Dan Currie as a sole ruckman. This week we want to give them both an opportunity to push their case for Round 1 selection."

Against Hawthorn’s ruck division which includes Jarryd Roughead and David Hale, the pair will be given a big test.

In the middle

North will be without two of its best midfielders in Jack Ziebell and Daniel Wells, meaning the onus will fall on the likes of Ben Jacobs and Jordan Gysberts to continue their good pre-season form.

This week, Michael Firrito singled out Jacobs for special praise and (assistant coach Darren Crocker was highly complementary of Gysberts' start at his new club.

Without Brent Harvey for the first six weeks of the season, there‘s an opportunity for a player to put his hand up and cement a spot in the Roos’ best 22.  Jacobs, Gysberts or even the versatile McKenzie can take the inside running with a stand-out performance.

2012's practice match

In the corresponding NAB Cup match last year, North Melbourne faced Carlton at Visy Park. While both sides weren't quite at full strength, it did give fans a first glimpse at the breathtaking football North was capable of playing. In the third quarter the Roos slammed on several unanswered goals in quick succession.

Carlton, much like Hawthorn currently, was regarded as a top four contender at the time.

However it’s very clear Brad Scott won’t be worried about the scoreboard after this game and will instead be more focused on seeing some of his younger players take some positive steps forward in their development.