MAJAK Daw is no certainty to return for North Melbourne's Good Friday clash with the Western Bulldogs despite overcoming concussion, coach Brad Scott says.

The versatile big man was a late withdrawal for the Kangaroos' loss to Greater Western Sydney last week after sustaining a head knock at training.

With Todd Goldstein and youngster Braydon Preuss performing well in the ruck and up forward against the Giants, Scott is hesitant to go in too tall against a customarily smaller Dogs outfit.

While Daw is a chance to play, Scott revealed emerging forward Mason Wood would play in the VFL this week in his return from a hamstring injury.

"(Majak's) pulled up really well and got through all his concussion testing with flying colours.

"He'll be available, but as I'm sure it will be speculated about, we have a decision to make as to the make up of our talls, and I suspect different stages of the year we'll go with different structures.

"We'll try and work out what's best for this week and the best to counter the Bulldogs defence."

With Luke Beveridge saying earlier in the day the ruck battle would be pivotal to the match outcome, Scott was keen for the imposing division of Goldstein, Preuss and possibly Daw to give his side first use against Tom Boyd and Tom Campbell.

"Even if you're not converting hit-outs to clearances, it still allows (the team) to set up the way you want to set up," Scott said.

"We've got a few options in the ruck, but the challenge for those guys is to take that potential advantage and turn it into a real strength for us."

And Scott has laughed off former Kangaroo Nick Dal Santo's questioning of Andrew Swallow's spot in the team.

The former skipper, who turns 30 in June, has spent significantly more time forward this year, rather than as an inside midfielder.

Scott said the move was simply down to giving his side the flexibility that Beveridge demanded from his Bulldogs charges.

"I think they're observations from Dal, rather than criticisms," Scott said.

"He's known Andrew Swallow as purely an inside midfielder when Dal was here at North. 

"We're trying to add some strings to Andrew's bow, but also to the team's flexibility.

"You can't expose young players in the positions you want to if you continue to go with the same sort of structures.

"That's no different to Robert Murphy playing half forward and half-back (this season)."