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Senior coach Brad Scott says defender Lachie Hansen has not been named in North’s round-one squad to face Adelaide due to a lack of match fitness.

The 26-year-old backman underwent post-season hip surgery and had a delayed start to his pre-season training program.

Scott said Hansen will miss Sunday’s clash after not being able to take part in the NAB Challenge.

“He’s medically available but he just hasn’t played a game, and that’s just too big a risk for us to take going into round one,” Scott told NMFC.com.au on Thursday.

“Lachie’s challenge now is to train really hard over the next week or so and then put his name forward to be selected.”

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In attack, the Roos have picked Jarrad Waite, Drew Petrie and Ben Brown ahead of fellow tall forwards Mason Wood and Aaron Black.

Scott said Wood was close to being selected after his eye-catching NAB Challenge hit-outs.

“It’s only his inexperience that’s cost him, which is certainly not his fault, but in a round-one game, interstate, we felt a bit more experience was needed,” Scott said.

“Wood and Black are going to play significant amounts of senior football for us this year.”

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Scott said defender Joel Tippett has been rewarded for a solid pre-season campaign.

“We really needed another key defender, particularly with Nathan Grima going down, but even with Grima in the side (and) Scotty Thompson, we really wanted another big, strong key defender,” he said.

“‘Tippo’ is now over 100kg, he’s a genuine key defender-size ... so he’s a welcome addition to our back half.”

Scott was also full of praise for newly-promoted rookie Robbie Nahas, especially after his impressive outings for VFL affiliate North Ballarat.

“He kicked five goals last week, he kicked three the week before and has averaged really high numbers, both in his ability to find the ball and score, but his defensive pressure as well,” Scott said.

“He has put his name forward with his performance in the VFL in the last two weeks.”

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Scott confirmed experienced pair Waite and Shaun Higgins, who both joined North in last year’s free agency period, will take the field against the Crows.

“They’ll both play, we’ve been really pleased with their pre-seasons,” he said.

“They’ve been ready to play for a long time, they’re fit and firing and we’re looking forward to seeing them in North colours.”