North Melbourne will need to make at least one change to its side ahead of Saturday's clash with Sydney, after ruckman Tristan Xerri was suspended for the next three games for striking.

Callum Coleman-Jones will be in the frame for his first AFL game since rupturing his Achilles tendon on Good Friday last season.

He notched 18 disposals, 17 hitouts, seven marks and four clearances against Footscray in the club's latest VFL bout.

Brynn Teakle, who is another ruck option, had six touches and took four grabs.

Youngster Taylor Goad, a 2023 first-round draft pick, has also been impressive over recent weeks. He finished the reserves clash with 27 hitouts and a goal, to put his name in the mix for a senior debut.

George Wardlaw has recovered from the concussion he suffered in Round 16 and is expected to rejoin the midfield brigade at the SCG this weekend.

Fellow onballer Luke Davies-Uniacke needs to prove his fitness during Thursday's main training session if he's to head north with the group.

Defender Luke McDonald will also face a fitness test as he looks to shake off a shoulder issue.

Geordie Payne was the VFL team's top performer in the Round 15 loss to Footscray.

He laid 17 tackles against the Bulldogs, while small forward Zac Banch slotted two goals from 16 disposals to stake his claim for an AFL debut.

Eddie Ford could be on Alastair Clarkson and the selection committee's radar after tallying 19 touches, eight intercepts and a goal against Footscray, playing mostly as a half-back.