North Melbourne is set to be bolstered by the return of two key players this weekend, with Tarryn Thomas and Cam Zurhaar aiming to prove their fitness ahead of Saturday’s clash with Richmond.
Thomas missed last week’s clash with Geelong due to concussion, having suffered delayed symptoms after the Round 19 clash with Carlton.
Zurhaar, meanwhile, has been managing a shoulder knock in recent weeks and was forced to miss Round 20.
David Noble says the pair should be available pending getting through training this week.
Both of those guys (Zurhaar and Thomas) will be back in the 22 this week,” Noble said.
“Cam’s expected to be available and back in the team.
“Tarryn just has to get through training today, he’s had that staged progression through that 12-day protocol with concussion.”
Meanwhile, Aidan Corr and Tom Powell are set to be put on ice for the rest of the season.
Corr has been battling a toe infection since the Round 2 clash with Gold Coast, and while he’s back running, a return to competitive football in 2021 is a stretch too far for the defender.
After playing in North’s first 13 games of the season, Powell has been out of the side due to continued soreness.
“They’re done for the year. We’ve made a decision but we’ll continue to try to keep those guys just rolling over into the pre-season, but neither will be available for the remaining part of the year,” Noble said.
“It’s always disappointing when you don’t have players available. Our medicos have worked hard to try and get them in a position, even for a VFL game at the back end of Round 23.
“It’s just not viable at this point in time. It’s low risk [to] make sure they’re ready to go for pre-season.”
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL INJURY LIST, PRESENTED BY AIA
