At the beginning of the season, Josh Smith wouldn’t have dreamed of forcing his way into the North Melbourne side as a defender, but after a solid run down back for North Ballarat in the VFL, that’s exactly what has happened.

The man affectionately called ‘Oscar’, Smith has played just seven games since joining the club via the 2007 National Draft and only two of those have come in 2010.

A change of thinking and a role reversal confronted Smith midway through the year as he was thrust into the backline for the Roosters. But the 24 year-old responded with class and showed he is more than a one dimensional player.

In the past three weeks Smith has dominated at both ends of the ground for North Ballarat amassing a total of 80 possessions and 31 marks. It’s this form that Brad Scott was unable to ignore.

While Smith will be new to the North backline if he’s selected to play there, he won’t be the only one. North Melbourne draftee Jamie Macmillan also comes into the side and will make his debut.

Leigh Harding is still on the cusp of a recall and will slot into the emergencies for the match against Essendon. The fast-paced veteran has also racked up 80 possession in the past three weeks along with 31 marks from just two and a half games of football.

David Hale has also been named as an emergency along with North Melbourne Rookie Ben Speight.

Speight is yet to make his debut but is eligible to play after being nominated by the club earlier in the year.

B: M.Firrito 11 S.Thompson 16 B.Rawlings 3
HB: J.MacMillan 34 N.Grima 17 D.Pratt 30
C: L.Adams 13 B.Harvey 29 R.Bastinac 28
HF: M.Campbell 33 L.Hansen 6 B.Warren 5
F: D.Wells 8 T.Goldstein 22 A.Edwards 27
R: H.McIntosh 1 A.Swallow 9 L.Greenwood 24
INT: B.Cunnington 10 E.Lower 2 G.Urquhart 14 J.Smith 18
EMERG: L.Harding 39 D.Hale 31 B.Speight 46

In: J.Smith , J.MacMillan
Out: R.Tarrant (Thumb) , S.Wright (Concussion)

New: J.MacMillan