Highly rated forward Brayden George will play his first minutes of competitive football in 320 days on Friday when North Melbourne's VFL side challenges Essendon at Windy Hill.
George suffered the second ACL injury of his young career last June, but has been flawless in his rehab and will make his long-awaited return tomorrow afternoon, playing capped minutes.
Experienced defenders Griffin Logue, Aidan Corr and Zac Fisher join George as inclusions and are set to bolster the backline.
Draftee Matt Whitlock has quickly shaken off an ankle complaint and will start on the interchange alongside Roos debutant Nathaniel Sulzberger, while Darcy Tucker rounds out the inclusions.
Kallan Dawson, Riley Hardeman, Finnbar Maley, Bailey Scott and Will Phillips are all on AFL duty after helping North Melbourne claim a two-point win over Carlton last time out in the Reserves.
Adam Tomlinson (managed) and McLaren Spiteri (omitted) also make way.
How to follow the game
You can live stream the match free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App. Head here on gameday to keep up with the score and our best performers.
Round 6
Friday, May 2
Essendon v North Melbourne at Windy Hill, 2.05pm AEST
| B | G. Logue (19) | T. Pink (32) | A. Corr (4) |
| HB | M. Bergman (27) | Z. Fisher (16) | O. Lowe (70) |
| C | B. Hopkins (53) | M. Keast (64) | D. Macpherson (50) |
| HF | R. Stevens (36) | E. Ford (40) | G. Payne (23) |
| F | W. Dawson (18) | B. George (33) | J. Tarrant (79) |
| R | B. Teakle (43) | D. Tucker (13) | L. Urquhart (14) |
| INT | T. Goad (22) | M. Whitlock (35) | C. Harvey (37) |
| R. Hansen jnr (46) | N. Sulzberger (65) | ||
| 23rd Player | N. Sulzberger (65) | ||
| EMG | M. Spiteri (77) | O. Van dam (74) | O. Hotton (62) |
| IN | B. George | G. Logue | A. Corr |
| Z. Fisher | M. Whitlock | D. Tucker | |
| N. Sulzberger | |||
| OUT | K. Dawson (AFL) | R.Hardeman (AFL) | F. Maley (AFL) |
| W. Phillips (AFL) | B. Scott (AFL) | A. Tomlinson (managed) | |
| M. Spiteri (omitted) | |||
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