NORTH Melbourne will hand a debut to Academy selection Tarryn Thomas on Sunday after Trent Dumont was a late withdrawal from the side to face Brisbane.
The Lions are unchanged from their selected side.
Thomas was selected by the Roos at pick No.8 in last year's NAB AFL Draft as a product of its Next Generation Academy.
The Tasmanian is a hard-nosed midfielder who can also play across half-forward.
FOLLOW IT LIVE: Kangaroos v Lions
The Lions will be looking to start their season with back-to-back wins for the first time since 2010, while North is searching for its maiden victory of 2019.
The Roos made two changes to their side during the week, replacing Ed Vickers-Willis, who will miss the season with a knee injury, and dropping forward Mason Wood.
Defender Scott Thompson and former Bulldogs ruckman Tom Campbell have come into the side.
Brisbane stuck with the same team that comfortably beat reigning premiers West Coast last week.
Sunday, March 31
North Melbourne v Brisbane at Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm AEDT
LATE CHANGES
North Melbourne: Tarryn Thomas replaced Trent Dumont (calf tightness) in the selected side
Brisbane: No change
FINAL INTERCHANGES
North Melbourne: J.Pittard, D.Tyson, T.Thomas, B.Scott
Brisbane: R.Bastinac, S.Martin, Z.Bailey, R.Mathieson
