The North Melbourne Kangaroos have made several changes after last week's loss to Box Hill, with six players coming into the side to take on GWS this weekend.

The returns of injured stars Eddie Ford, Callum Coleman-Jones and co-captain Harry Jones headline the changes, while Tarryn Thomas' omission from the senior side will see him turn out for the reserves.

Ford began the season in hot form with five goals and 19 disposals against Williamstown in Round 1 before earning a call-up to the senior side. He suffered a foot injury in the lead-up to Round 8 and will be on a minutes restriction this weekend.

Coleman-Jones has shaken off the quad injury that's seen him sidelined for two games. He returns to re-kindle his emerging ruck partnership with Jacob Edwards.

Jones was sidelined with an ankle injury, and his versatility and class through both the midfield and forward lines is a welcome inclusion due to the AFL involvement of last week's strong performers Jaidyn Stephenson and Charlie Lazzaro.

Sam Collins and Michael Stingel are the other two inclusions, while Zach Monkhorst, Jack Lipscombe, Jack Mahony and Atu Bosenavulagi make way alongside Stephenson and Lazzaro.

>> Full VFL fixture and results

Forward reinforcements

After last week's difficulties in the forward half, the beefing up of the Kangaroos' forward line has come at a fortuitous time.

Mat Walker was all too often something of a lone wolf in the forward-50 against the Hawks but the inclusions of Ford and Coleman-Jones will add some strong marking prowess alongside him, while the additions of Harry Jones and Tarryn Thomas will add some class and guile should they run forward.

It's also worth remembering that after impressing last week, Phoenix Spicer will ramp up his return from injury with a full game this weekend.

Ford's Round 1 performance against Williamstown has lived long in the memories of North fans. It was one of the most damaging and complete performances of any North player at any level this year.

This young forward group could offer North fans a glimpse into the future as Ford, Coleman-Jones and Spicer have all offered insights into their respective abilities to become genuine AFL-level talents over the journey.

Travelling Roos

The VFL is no longer just a competition for Victoria teams. With the addition of sides from Queensland and New South Wales the opportunity to travel for football is one that's not lost on players around the league.

For the second time this year the Kangaroos will hit the road, and the learnings they will have taken from the Round 2 clash with Brisbane will certainly be put into effect.

While the flight may not be as long as Round 2, the fly-in, fly-out nature of the clash means perfect preparation should be prioritised. Anything that can help the side hit the ground running should be done.

North struggled against a rampant Lions side last time around. Can they turn the tables and take the game to the Giants from the first bounce?

Sunday, June 12

GWS Giants v North Melbourne at Blacktown International Sports Park, 1.05pm AEST

B: 41. M McGuinness, 34. J Archer, 54. M Hore
HB: 31. J Goater, 55. C Hinkley, 48. H Murphy
C: 33. P Walker, 54. K Answerth, 46. D Tyson
HF: 70. J Watkins, 36. P Spicer, 49. H Jones
F: 40. E Ford, 32. J Edwards, 47. M Walker
R: 21. C Coleman-Jones, 26. T Thomas, 56. Y Dib

I/C: 50. H Dick, 52 S. Collins, 57. C Smith, 58. B Stevens, 62. M Stingel
23rd player: 62. M Stingel

Emg: 59. J Lipscombe, 64. W Doquile, 71. T Howard, 75. C Weightman

Ins: 21. C Coleman-Jones, 26. T Thomas, 40. E Ford, 49. H Jones 52. S Collins, 62. M Stingel
Outs: 1. J Mahony, 2. J Stephenson, 15. A Bosenavulagi, 35. C Lazzaro, 59. J Lipscombe, 66. Z Monkhorst

>> The game will be streamed live on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App