Goldstein and McKenzie’s inclusions were confirmed on Thursday when the initial squad was announced, while Delaney will line up alongside brother Luke for the first time in defence after being recalled.
In round two against the Giants, Delaney had 19 possessions and took five marks on debut before being overlooked the following week against the bigger bodies of Geelong. His performances in the VFL in recent weeks have made him hard to ignore though; previous to the bye he had 17 disposals and took eight marks for the Roosters.
Many expected Goldstein to be called up for the Eagles’ match, though an extra week on the sidelines will no doubt have the North big man raring to go.
McKenzie will become the club’s second debutant of 2012 when he takes the field in the number two.
Selected with pick 18 in last year’s National Draft, he has adapted well to senior football at North Ballarat and is already highly regarded at Aegis Park.
“We know he’ll come in and acquit himself really well. He’s a beautiful kick of the footy, and he’s a really driven young kid, so gets his opportunity and we think he’ll perform really well,” Scott said on kangaroos.com.au’s Interactive Team of the Week video.
Further to the omissions of Robbie Tarrant and Aaron Mullett, Cameron Pedersen will also need to impress at VFL level if he’s to be given another chance.
Pedersen has been named as an emergency, along with Ben Warren and Will Sierakowski.
Backs J.MacMillan 34 S.Thompson 16 L.Delaney 15
Half Backs D.Wells 8 M.Firrito 11 K.Harper 23
Centreline S.Atley 18 A.Swallow 9 B.Harvey 29
Half Forwards B.Cunnington 10 T.Goldstein 22 S.Wright 19
Forwards A.Edwards 27 D.Petrie 20 L.Thomas 12
Followers H.McIntosh 1 J.Ziebell 7 R.Bastinac 3
Interchange B.McKenzie 2 L.Anthony 4 L.Adams 13 C.Delaney 31
Emergencies B.Warren 5 W.Sierakowski 28 C.Pedersen 39
In: T.Goldstein , B.McKenzie , C.Delaney
Out: R.Tarrant (Omitted) , A.Mullett (Omitted) , C.Pedersen (Omitted)
North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 13th May 2012, 1.10pm
Etihad Stadium
Gates open at 11.30am.
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