The Kangaroos return to Marvel this week and a number of Kangaroos are in the running to come into the side to take on Carlton.

Whether it be in defence, the midfield, or the forward line, David Noble and the match committee could make any number of changes as they look to put North back onto the winners list.

North Media looks at who is in the mix.

With Ben McKay to miss the game through suspension North will be forced to make a change in the back line.

Should Noble elect for as close to a like-for-like key defensive replacement as possible, Matt McGuinness seems the most likely to earn a maiden call-up into the AFL side.

Drafted as a key defensive prospect in 2019, McGuinness has trained as a forward and a ruck in previous years but has since returned to his primary position and recently put in a career-best performance against Footscray at VFL level.

He's been thriving in the deepest defensive role at VFL level and has largely impressed with his distribution so far this season.

Should Aidan Corr be the one to move into McKay's role, the door could be open for one of Aiden Bonar or Kyron Hayden to return to the side as an intercepting defender.

Bonar has been playing at centre half-back at reserve level, and his versatility all over the ground has seen him emerge as the Kangaroos' go-to medical substitute so far this season.

Hayden was named in the Round 2 side to take on West Coast but was a late out and is yet to make a senior appearance this season. His athleticism could be a welcome addition to the side that's set to take on a strong and powerful Carlton forward group.

Due to Carlton boasting the likes of Harry McKay, Tom De Koning, Charlie Curnow and the potentially returning Jack Silvagni, his size and athleticism could be a welcome inclusion against the Blues.

First-year defenders Miller Bergman, Josh Goater, and Jackson Archer are all potential options to make their AFL debuts, with Bergman perhaps the most likely to come into the side courtesy of his selection as an emergency in recent weeks.

Goater was the pick of the trio in VFL action on the weekend and finished with 17 disposals, while Archer continues to find his feet at reserve level.

The midfield could be bolstered by the likes of Jaidyn Stephenson and Tom Powell, with Stephenson set to return from the illness that kept him out of the side last week and Powell putting in a strong performance in the VFL where he finished with 29 disposals, eight tackles and nine clearances.

While the service provided to Charlie Comben was less than ideal against Frankston, the key forward still kicked a goal and had a strong impact on the game as he consistently brought the ball to ground for his teammates.

Often forced to compete with two defenders, his ability to remain an influence on the game is a testament to his continued improvement and he could well be rewarded with a senior call-up.

Callum Coleman-Jones was a dominant force in the middle of the ground against Frankston and his recent form is deserving of a call-up to the seniors.

Finishing the clash with 24 disposals, 37 hitouts and eight clearances, Coleman-Jones impressed with his ability to win his own ball in the middle of the ground and worked well in tandem with his midfield.

Will Phillips increased his game time on Sunday against Frankston as he ramps up his recovery from glandular fever but could be set for further time in the VFL, while Jed Anderson is expected to make his return from a hamstring issue via the reserves as he looks to push for senior selection.