Friday night's clash against Richmond will be midfielder Trent Dumont's last chance to leave a good impression on the playing field ahead of the finals series, North coach Brad Scott says.
The 20-year-old, who has played seven games for the Roos this season after making his debut in round four, has received a call-up after the club signalled its intention to rest players against the Tigers.
Scott said the match could be one of the final opportunities for the likes of Dumont and defender Aaron Mullett to stake their claim, particularly given VFL affiliate North Ballarat's season ended last weekend.
"It certainly is (the last chance) in terms of playing (but) their training form is going to be taken into account," Scott told NMFC.com.au on Thursday.
"Obviously the test is on the weekend in games and this is a great opportunity for both of them.
"They've both played AFL footy this year and can lay claims to being in our best squad of 25, so they get their opportunity to push their name forward."
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Defender Joel Tippett, who has played most of the year with the Roosters after featuring in the Roos' opening two matches, has been handed the task of filling in for experienced backmen Michael Firrito and Scott Thompson.
Scott said Tippett would need to replicate his recent VFL performances when he faces a likely match-up on Richmond forwards Ty Vickery and Jack Riewoldt.
"He's a really solid key defender and he's only been kept out by the form of our other key defenders," he said.
"He's going to get two potential opponents who are top quality in Vickery and Riewoldt so it's an opportunity to show that he can take that VFL form and apply it to AFL level."
In the absence of in-form ruckman Todd Goldstein, big man Majak Daw will be required to carry the side's ruck load largely on his own when he lines up on Tigers ruckman Ivan Maric.
Scott said the game would go a long way to finding out where Daw is at in his development after a solid year with VFL side Werribee.
"We want to see if he can do it. He's kicked goals at VFL level, he's rucked really well and he's going to come up against a good opponent in Maric," he said.
"The challenge for him is going to be there to shoulder the ruck duties and see how he can impact (the game) against a good quality AFL opponent."
Scott said Brad McKenzie's consistent run with North Ballarat had not gone unnoticed, with the midfielder set to play his first game for North since round 17 last year.
"He's been really good each week, he's been emergency a number of times and he's only been kept out of the side by the form of others," Scott said.
"He gets his opportunity this week and we're really looking forward to seeing him play."
In other additions to the squad, forward Aaron Black will play his first game for the Roos since round 16, joining Mason Wood and Kayne Turner after lengthy stints at VFL level.
Defender Luke McDonald also returns after missing last Saturday's match against the Western Bulldogs with general soreness.
Meanwhile, experienced duo Nick Dal Santo and Jarrad Waite will be rested from the game, with captain Andrew Swallow, Shaun Higgins, Ben Cunnington and Sam Wright all nursing minor niggles.
