BRAD Scott admits he's experienced conflicting emotions over Jonathan Brown's facial injuries.

As a friend and former teammate of Brown's, Scott was "shattered" when the Lions skipper suffered his second serious facial injury this season, against Geelong last Sunday.

But, as North Melbourne coach, Scott is mindful Brown's absence for his team's clash with the Lions at Etihad Stadium this Saturday will make the Kangaroos' job easier.

"He's obviously a massive loss," Scott said at Aegis Park on Thursday.

"So I can't lie. I'm happier he's not there, that's for sure. As a personal friend of mine, I’m shattered that he's hurt himself again, but it certainly gives us a bit of a boost."

Brown was instrumental in the Lions' comeback win against North Melbourne in round nine, kicking four second-half goals to lead them to a 14-point win.

But Scott said there was no danger North would underestimate the Lions in Brown's absence.

Although Brown was "irreplaceable", he said the Lions could call on key-position players Bryce Retzlaff and Aaron Cornelius, who had both been in good form with the Lions reserves in the NEAFL.

"There's no other player like Jonathan Brown so they'll miss him, but I'm sure others will be coming in really keen for that opportunity so we're really going to have to be on our guard," Scott said.
 
In what shapes as a must-win game for the Kangaroos if they are to keep their finals hopes alive, Scott called on their supporters to get to the game and create the sort of hostile atmosphere North has to endure when it plays at the Gabba.

Responding to a question about North chairman James Brayshaw's criticism of the crowd of 22,754 that turned up to North's win over the Western Bulldogs in last Sunday's twilight match, Scott acknowledged twilight fixtures were often difficult for families to attend.

But he urged supporters to get to the Saturday afternoon game.

"We've got magnificent supporters, the most loyal supporters in the competition," Scott said.

"But we'd like them all to come out in force against Brisbane and make it for Brisbane what it's like for North Melbourne when we go to the Gabba. It is very tough for North Melbourne up there, so we'd like to make it really tough for Brisbane at Etihad and get a really strong North crowd there."

Scott confirmed ruckman Hamish McIntosh would play another game in the VFL this weekend, saying he would have to prove he was back to peak fitness and form before he could force his way back into the senior team. 

"We're more mindful than ever of the gap between VFL and AFL footy," Scott said.

"The gulf is enormous. He needs to really demand a spot in the side.

"Every player that's come up from the VFL to AFL level has struggled this year for fitness. So Hamish is going to need a really good grounding in the VFL before we consider him for selection."

Scott said captain Brent Harvey had not missed a training session this week and would play against the Lions despite a chipped bone in his thumb.

Scott expressed his disappointment Ben Speight had been ruled out for the rest of the reason with a shoulder injury earlier this week, saying the speedy midfielder's strong performances as a substitute had earned him the nickname 'Foot-long' at the club, a reference to Subway's 'Super Sub'.
 
Asked about key-position player Robbie Tarrant's absence from North's team since round five, Scott said he was happy with Tarrant's development with Werribee in the VFL.

"We haven't helped him in terms of continuity of football because we've thrown him forward and back quite a bit, much like we've done with Lachie Hansen and Cam Pedersen at senior level," he said.

"I'm really determined to develop a range of key-position players that can play at both ends of the ground for the club in the future. So Robbie's been part of that and I'm comfortable with his development."