NORTH Melbourne has finally received some good news on the injury front, with forwards Leigh Adams and Taylor Garner set to return in the VFL this weekend after long absences.

Adams, 27, has not played since he was concussed playing for Werribee in a VFL practice match in March, the latest in a string of concussions that saw the forward consult a neurologist to ensure he could resume playing without risking his long-term health.

Garner, the Roos' first selection in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft at pick No.15, has been sidelined since injuring his left hamstring tendon against Hawthorn in the NAB Challenge last February.

The young forward got close to returning last season but suffered a succession of a setbacks before undergoing hip surgery at the end of last season.

North announced on its club website on Wednesday that provided they got through training this week Adams would return in Werribee's game against Sandringham on Saturday and Garner would return in North Ballarat's clash with Port Melbourne on the same day.

North Melbourne senior assistant coach Darren Crocker said Adams, 27, had been "desperate" to return to the field during his time on the sidelines but had had to put his health first. 

"Footy is a brutal game and 'Patch' (Adams) had to be ready within himself to come back and know that there was nothing holding him back," Crocker said. 

North said Adams' neurologist had cleared him to return a few weeks ago, allowing him to step up his recovery program and return to full-contact training. 

"Patch is an underrated player for us," Crocker said of the 104-gamer. 

"We always know that he will play his role and if all goes well, he'll be a highly valuable addition to the senior side in the back half of the year."

North forward line coach Shane Watson paid tribute to Garner's professionalism during his 15 months on the sidelines, praising his ability to deal with repeated issues in his rehabilitation.

"He's persisted with his training and rehab despite setback after setback and it's a credit to him for maintaining his professionalism and determination throughout what has been an incredibly frustrating time," Watson said.

"Because he had ongoing issues with his hamstrings and hips, it would have been tough having his various return dates change and fluctuate I'd imagine.

"Now he's come out the other side and we couldn't be happier for him.

"He now has the challenge of playing good consistent footy in the VFL and pushing for a return to the senior side in the second half of the year."


Garner played two senior games late in his debut season, 2013, before his injury woes began.

North has been hit hard by injury this season with Daniel Wells (Achilles tendon), Nick Dal Santo (hamstring) and Nathan Grima (back) long-term absentees, and skipper Andrew Swallow (broken thumb) and Ben Brown (knee) missing last Saturday night's loss to Fremantle.