All eyes will be on the return of Gary Ablett on Saturday night but coach Rodney Eade isn't expecting too much.

"I know he's a phenomenon in many ways so he'll probably slot back in seamlessly, but our expectation is just (for him to) be there and be captain," Eade said.

Ablett hasn’t played since Round 2 with a shoulder injury and will line up against North at Metricon.

"(He will) give a presence to players who really look forward to him being back as an elder statesman, his experience. I think that'll help the players.”

Eade said the dual Brownlow medallist's teammates could help him out against the Kangaroos.

"I think they can help him out like any player that gets tagged, protect him body-wise, stand in between, but I think Gary's had that before in his career and has got to a stage where he is confident enough that he'll be able to cope ok," he said.

Eade said he won’t know if his players have been affected by the most tumultuous week in the club's history until after the game.

"Hopefully they can focus on the footy," he said.

"The fact is we're only human, a lot of people don't talk about their feelings much and what they're really thinking.

"We'll probably only know that in hindsight once the game finishes.”

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