North Melbourne's push for its fourth win of the VFL season has been bolstered by the addition of one of the most promising young players in the country.

Having been suspended for two matches following the Kangaroos' Round 13 AFL match against Greater Western Sydney, Jason Horne-Francis is once more eligible to play.

The 19-year-old has been named in the forward line, but will likely mingle with experienced onballers such as Dom Tyson and Harry Jones, and have the opportunity to build match fitness and confidence.

Leigh Adams' side has been further strengthened by defender Atu Bosenavulagi, who has made eight senior appearances this season (and another as an unused substitute), and reserves-listed ruck Zach Monkhorst.

They are timely inclusions, with Callum Coleman-Jones and Flynn Perez having been called up to the senior team, and sharpshooter Mat Walker to miss.

Opponents Collingwood will present a healthy challenge at the AIA Centre on Sunday morning.

The ninth-placed Pies have a wealth of young midfielders who can win the ball and use it to effect, such as Fin Macrae, Trent Bianco, Caleb Poulter and Brown brothers Callum and Tyler.

If the Kangaroos can lean on Tyson and Horne-Francis to win the ball in close, and rely on a big, tough back six to blunt the Pies' entries, they'll be well on their way.

Jason Horne-Francis running through the twos

While most players on the east coast tread the NAB League path ahead of getting drafted, Horne-Francis had the opportunity to play senior football with South Adelaide in the SANFL. It boosted his prospects, as he became the first number one pick in North Melbourne history.

Such is the hype around Horne-Francis, the prospect that he could be phased back into the senior team through the reserves program was a major conversation starter in the lead-up to selection night.

It is important to remember earlier first-round selections such as Ben Cunnington and Luke Davies-Uniacke once plied their trade in the VFL team.

Senior regulars Todd Goldstein, Tristan Xerri, Nick Larkey and Ben McKay similarly spent long periods honing their craft in the reserves.

Stepping into the reserves presents Horne-Francis a brilliant opportunity to find the football and potentially dominate the opposition. He can build his leadership skills, his communication skills, and hone in on what he does best. We’ve certainly seen him succeed at state league level before in the SANFL.

Either way, the presence of someone in Horne-Francis’ ilk running through the midfield and forward lines is only going to benefit the team against Collingwood.

Ruck and roll stars

With the injury to Tristan Xerri and Callum Coleman-Jones being called up to the seniors, the remaining ruck options at VFL level will each need to step up in their own right to ensure first use of the ball to the midfield.

Zach Monkhorst looks set to shoulder the primary ruck load for the Kangaroos for the foreseeable future now, with his strength and athleticism allowing him to compete against opposition rucks who tower over him.

Behind Monkhorst, it can be expected that Jacob Edwards will continue his development as a versatile ruck/forward option. So far this season Edwards has shown flashes of the player he can become, so added responsibility could help bring out the best in him.

Versatile key position player Max Mitchell-Russell has also served as a pinch-hitter this season. While he was brought into the squad as a defender, his history as a key forward could see him shoulder some extra responsibility in the ruck.

Even the likes of Hamish Dick, Hamish Murphy and Mat Walker have contested at stoppages from time to time.

The loss of Coleman-Jones to the senior side, while exciting for the club, could be to the reserve program's detriment, but the Kangaroos aren’t short of options to cover for him.

Saturday, July 9

Collingwood v North Melbourne at AIA Centre, 11.05am AEST

B:  41. M McGuinness, 31. J Goater, 53. M Hore
HB: 37. K Hayden, 42. K Dawson, 15. A Bosenavulagi
C: 59. J Lipscombe, 46. D Tyson, 49. H Jones
HF: 75. C Weightman, 6. J Horne-Francis, 40. E Ford
F: 32. J Edwards, 50. H Dick, 61. M Mitchell-Russell
R: 66. Z Monkhorst, 33. P Walker, 54. K Answerth

I/C: 57. C Smith, 58. B Stevens, 64. W Doquile, 68. J Guthrie, 70. J Watkins
23rd player: 64. W Doquile

EMG: 48. H Murphy, 52. S Collins, 55. C Hinkley, 79. T Howard

IN: 6. J Horne-Francis, 15. A Bosenavulagi, 66. Z Monkhorst

OUT: 39. F Perez, 47. M Walker, 60. L Cunningham