Jack Ziebell and Lindsay Thomas’ inclusion into the North Melbourne side has been no secret, but the third piece of the puzzle has now been revealed.

Luke Delaney will be brought in to cover for the loss of key defender Nathan Grima, who was struck down by hamstring tendonitis during last week’s match against Essendon.

Delaney will play his 19th AFL game and 11th for the season when he runs out to take on Collingwood on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.

The 23-year old last played for the Roos in their 2-point loss to West Coast in Round 15 and will play alongside Scott McMahon, Michael Firrito and Scott Thompson in the Kangaroos’ backline.

Delaney’s size and strength gives North Melbourne the ability to counter the contested marking attributes of Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes.

While the loss of Daniel Wells to a calf injury and Leigh Adams to a season-ending shoulder dislocation is significant, so too is the quality of Ziebell and Thomas as inclusions.

Ziebell will play his first game back from a four-week suspension, while Thomas returns after a two-week ban.

Levi Greenwood, Aaron Mullett and Aaron Edwards will have been listed as emergencies.

The Team

B: Scott McMahon, Luke Delaney, Michael Firrito
HB: Shaun Atley, Scott Thompson, Sam Wright
C: Ryan Bastinac, Ben Cunnington, Sam Gibson
HF: Liam Anthony, Robbie Tarrant, Lindsay Thomas
F: Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Lachlan Hansen
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Cruize Garlett, Matt Campbell, Kieran Harper, Jamie Macmillan

Emer: Levi Greenwood, Aaron Mullett, Aaron Edwards

In: Lindsay Thomas, Luke Delaney, Jack Ziebell
Out: Daniel Wells (calf), Nathan Grima (hamstring), Leigh Adams (shoulder)