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NORTH MELBOURNE youngster Aaron Mullett will make his debut in the Kangaroos' must-win clash against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

The 19-year-old left-footer was elevated from the club's rookie list on Wednesday afternoon after a run of outstanding form for North Ballarat in the VFL.

Mullett was best afield in the Roosters' 87-point win over Frankston last weekend.

Click here to view Aaron Mullett VFL highlights

"It's a high pressure game and a game we've got to win, but I just think it goes to show the confidence we've got in Aaron," North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said at Aegis Park.

"He's in really good form in the VFL and we think he'll come in and make a real difference to our senior side.

"We'll probably play him in defence. He's got genuine pace and we think he's a really good one-on-one defender.

"He comes from the Eastern Ranges [TAC Cup team] and we've been excited about him for a while.

"He was always seen as a very undersized kid, but he's worked really diligently to put a lot of weight on and we think he's ready for AFL footy now.

"He's given the match committee no option but to pick him, which is the way it should be."
 
North Melbourne is 10th on the ladder, six points behind the eighth-placed Sydney Swans.

Fremantle is sandwiched between the two, half a match behind the Swans, who play St Kilda at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

"It's really exciting," Scott said. "It's probably the biggest game ever between North Melbourne and Fremantle, so it's a huge game for us and a huge game for them."

"Bottom line is both sides have got to win it, so we certainly won't be leaving anything behind."

The Kangaroos had the bye last weekend and gave their players a number of days off to freshen up for their last three games.

Before that they had played on 17 consecutive weekends because their first bye was back in round three.

"I can't remember, in my time in football, a side that has had to play 17 games in a row," Scott said.

"We really needed the bye, so I thought it was a good opportunity for a bit of rest and rejuvenation.

"They've come back in terrific shape and they know the importance of the next three weeks.

"We've just got to hold up our end of the bargain. Our performances over the next three weeks will leave us where it leaves us and that will be where we deserve to finish."

Roos ruckman Todd Goldstein faces one of his biggest challenges when he takes on Fremantle duo Aaron Sandilands and Zac Clarke.

"Don't expect Todd Goldstein to handle it by himself, " Scott said. "Drew Petrie and Cam Pederson can play in there as well, and Lachie Hansen is 197cm."

But Hansen, who missed North Melbourne's most recent match against Hawthorn with gastro, is no certainty to play because the Kangaroos don't want to select a top-heavy team.

"We'll have to have a look at the structure," Scott explained. "Nathan Grima will come back into our defence.

"Nathan's had to go back [to the VFL] and get some fitness. He didn't have a pre-season at all [due to a back injury].

"We potentially brought him back into the side too early, but he's a super-important part of our defence.

"He's a first-choice defender and he's fit, so we'll certainly bring him back in. That will probably mean that a tall might get squeezed out."

Midfielder Liam Anthony will definitely miss the clash with Freo.

"Liam won't play," Scott said. "He had a really good game on the weekend in a really good win for North Ballarat, but … his ankle is still not absolutely perfect, so we'll give him at least another weekend in the VFL."

Can't view the press conference? Click here to watch it on the NMFC YouTube channel