Who will step in to fill the mantle for the injured Jarrad Waite? That is the pressing question for North’s match committee in the lead-up to the clash against the Geelong.

With Mason Wood injured, Majak Daw and Ben McKay loom as the obvious like-for-like replacements.

Daw had an injury interrupted pre-season with a knee injury, before returning for the final two games of the JLT Community Series.

Able to play in attack and provide relief in the ruck, North’s number 38 kicked four goals in last year’s Elimination Final and could stretch the Cats with his height and leap.

McKay is yet to play an AFL game, but lined up against both the Swans and Hawks in the JLT Series.

North’s first pick in the 2015 Draft, McKay can cause plenty of headaches for opposition defenders with his height. He stands at 200 centimetres as a permanent key-forward.

The pair lined up in Werribee’s practice match on Saturday, alongside another key-position prospect, Nick Larkey – who could be an outside chance at a debut this week.

Having had a taste of senior action against the Swans, Larkey impressed with his ability at ground level and booted three goals.

So who gets the nod? All will be revealed when teams are named on Thursday night.