North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson must find at least one replacement for Saturday night's match against Geelong at Marvel Stadium, after Callum Coleman-Jones suffered a calf strain early in Round 19's loss to Sydney.

Brought into the side as ruck cover for the suspended Tristan Xerri, the unlucky Coleman-Jones suffered the injury only 15 minutes into his comeback game.

Youngster Taylor Goad may be one option for Clarkson's match committee. The 207cm ruck had a season-high 47 hitouts in Saturday's VFL game against the Swans in one of his best games for the season for the reserves.

15:00

VFL R17 match highlights: Sydney v North Melbourne

The Swans and Kangaroos clash in Round 17

If Clarkson opts for experience, key tall Brynn Teakle may again be pressed into ruck duty, perhaps alongside versatile big man Charlie Comben. 

Midfielder George Wardlaw impressed at VFL level against the Swans on his return from a concussion. 

Wardlaw made his case for a return to the AFL side with 27 disposals and a game-high nine clearances. 

Spearhead Nick Larkey would be an automatic selection for the Roos if fit, and faces a test at Thursday's main training session as he battles back from a knee injury. 

If Larkey is unfit and/or if Clarkson opts to shuffle his forward line, Finnbar Maley and Robert Hansen jnr could be in line for a recall.

Maley kicked two first-quarter goals as the reserves shot out to an early lead against the Swans, also pinch-hitting in the ruck as he finished with 13 disposals and seven tackles. 

Hansen jnr was also in the thick of the early action at Tramway Oval, showcasing his zip and smarts and kicking two goals in the opening term. 

Mid-season draftee Cooper Trembath also proved himself a potential forward option, taking seven marks and kicking one goal for the reserves, and capping his day with a brilliant slips-like catch late in the final term.

Young gun Zane Duursma could also be in the mix this week, having collected 18 disposals and five intercepts in the VFL. He played most of the afternoon in defence, flying high to take a number of contested intercept marks and delivering cleanly by foot, before being swung forward late.

AFL Tickets