The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos have made one change for their blockbuster preliminary final against Melbourne on Saturday afternoon at Ikon Park.

Star defender Eilish Sheerin returns to the side, having been named to play her first game since Round 7.

After injuring her hamstring during the Round 8 pre-game warm-up and missing the past six matches, the No.4's return is a timely boost for the Roos, who are hoping to reach the Grand Final for the third straight season.

Tessa Boyd is the unlucky player to make way for Sheerin, while Mia King must hope the Roos can win on Saturday if she is to return from her PCL injury this season.

The Kangaroos, who punched their ticket to the prelims with a 39-point win over Hawthorn in the qualifying final, haven't faced the Demons in 2025, but coach Darren Crocker noted that the group had been paying attention to Melbourne's rise.

"We've had a little eye on them for a while because we knew they were coming and potentially going to be a finals threat," Crocker told reporters at Arden Street on Thursday.

"It was good to go last week (to the semi-final) and have a good close look at them."

Bouncedown is scheduled for 3.05pm AEDT on Saturday.