North Melbourne will be forced to make at least two changes as it prepares to take on the Western Bulldogs in the club's Centenary celebration clash on Thursday night.

Veteran forward Jack Darling has been ruled out with a groin injury, while midfielder George Wardlaw will also come out of the line-up that lost to Hawthorn due to concussion.

Will Phillips travelled with the side to Launceston in Round 16 and has been strong at VFL level over the past month.

The young onballer had 25 disposals, eight clearances and seven tackles in the reserves' Round 13 win over Carlton and was one of the side's better performers in the Round 12 loss to Port Melbourne, finishing with 26 touches and 12 tackles.

Bailey Scott has also raised his hand for a recall, having gathered 26 disposals against Box Hill at Arden St on Saturday. The winger hasn't featured for senior coach Alastair Clarkson since the Round 10 win over Richmond but could add some outside run if named when the team is selected on Wednesday evening.

Cooper Harvey continued to impress as a half-back for VFL coach Tom Lynch on the weekend, with his composure and play-reading taking another step forward as he gathered 24 disposals and nine intercepts.

Fellow defenders Jackson Archer (hamstring) and Charlie Comben (shoulder) are chances of returning to the side for Thursday, while Luke McDonald (shoulder) is under an injury cloud following the loss to Hawthorn in Tasmania.

Veteran Luke Parker has also pulled up sore and will need to prove his fitness ahead of selection if he's to challenge the Bulldogs' talented midfield.

Mid-season draftee Zac Banch put in another solid shift in the VFL, kicking one goal from 11 possessions, and could be in line for an AFL debut following several strong performances.

Brayden George was also dangerous around Arden Street Oval against Box Hill with his tackle pressure and ability to impact the contest. He finished with two goals, while Zane Duursma finished with three to put his name back in the frame for a potential call-up.

High-flyer Finnbar Maley was the pick of the bunch from the reserves' attack as he kicked two goals from 12 touches.

"I don’t think there is a forward in the competition that provides a target like the 'Moose' does," Lynch said post-game v Box Hill.

"His effort in the air and on the ground is something to be appreciated and I know his teammates do. He was great today (Saturday)."

Callum Coleman-Jones joined Phillips as a travelling emergency to Launceston and will come under further consideration with Darling ruled out.