North Melbourne blooded its first four picks from last year's NAB AFL Draft – Will Phillips, Tom Powell, Charlie Lazzaro and Phoenix Spicer – during a 39-point defeat against Hawthorn at Arden Street on Saturday.

Powell was perhaps the pick of the bunch, racking up 15 disposals to half-time, while Lazzaro played the majority of the contest as Phillips and Spicer were each introduced at three-quarter time.

Speaking afterwards, first-year coach David Noble said he wouldn't be apprehensive about blooding any of the aforementioned players for a round one debut against Port Adelaide provided they are in his best team.

"It depends on where we're going to play them, but no (we wouldn't have any doubts about playing the youngsters)," Noble said.

"If they're physically and mentally ready to go and their form is good, then they will vie for a spot like anybody else. If you're going to put them in against a hardened midfield, you just have to be careful as to the timing.

"Port Adelaide is a hardened team, we know that. But what they do bring is energy, they bring speed, they bring versatility. That's good for us."

North Melbourne is hopeful of regaining Ben Cunnington (concussion), Jed Anderson (calf) and Jared Polec (hamstring) for the clash against Port, though Trent Dumont (calf) is unlikely to feature.

It leaves the Kangaroos with an intriguing headache ahead of the clash, with Noble set to balance whether all three can return straight away having missed both pre-season fixtures against St Kilda and now Hawthorn.

"You do (have to balance it)," Noble said.

"It's only Phoenix Spicer's first quarter, Will Phillips did really well, Charlie Lazzaro has played all the way through, Tom Powell has played all the way through, Dom Tyson has put his hand up … I think we'll be OK for numbers.

"It will be nice to have those guys, but we won't rush them."