NORTH Melbourne will use Shannon Watt's final game and the 200th appearance of Brady Rawlings as extra motivation as it looks to inflict St Kilda's second defeat in succession.

Caretaker coach Darren Crocker confirmed that "great servant" Watt, who has been unable to break into the Roos side this year, had decided to retire following a farewell match at Docklands on Sunday.

"It's been a topsy turvy career for Shannon," Crocker said. "He hasn't had it all his way all the time, but to have been able to hang in there and hang in there and notch 160 games and be around here for 11 years, which gets his life membership, is a testament to his character."

The Roos will draw extra inspiration from Rawlings, who Crocker described as a terrific role model, who went about his footy with passion and commitment.

"It's going to be a tough assignment but all indications are the boys are up and about for it," Crocker said.

"There's a couple of really good reasons for us to be up and about and really put our best foot forward."

Crocker said he wasn't expecting a drop off in motivation from his players, despite the fact they won't be playing for him in 2010 after the club announced Brad Scott as the new senior coach on Monday.

"I'd like to think the effort is going to be there again. I couldn't have questioned the boys' effort and their intent since I took over," he said.

"They've been up and about, and unfortunately it hasn't translated into wins we would have liked in those close games."

AFL.com.au revealed exclusively this week that Daniel Wells was battling osteitis pubis, and Crocker said the midfielder was concentrating on getting himself right for 2010.

"He's been extremely frustrated with is injury, and he played a game in the VFL and felt that injury hadn't improved sufficiently enough for him to be able to push for senior selection," Crocker said.

"We made the decision the best thing for him now is to get the rest he needs and make sure he's up and about and ready for the first pre-season under the new coach in Brad.

"If we can get that in place, Brad is going to be a happy man to have Wells up and going with a pre-season under his belt."