THE LATE-season return of key defender Nathan Grima has given North Melbourne the flexibility it will need to combat Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins and his forward-line sidekicks, Roos backline coach Josh Drummond says.

Grima missed 11 matches after round seven with a foot injury, in which time Scott Thompson took on the opposition's best power forward most weeks, including Hawkins in the Roos' round 10 and round 19 losses to the Cats.

However, since Grima's return in round 20 against Greater Western Sydney, Thompson has been freed up to play on smaller opponents and in more attacking roles.

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Thompson has played similar roles before – he has regularly played on Adelaide small forward Eddie Betts, for instance – but North seems to be keener and keener to tap into the attacking side of the 2013 All Australian full-back's game.

Thompson leads the competition for interceptions this season (165 at an average of 7.5 a game) and had a game-high 14 against the Bombers last Saturday night.

With Grima manning Essendon's primary aerial target, Joe Daniher, for most of the night, Thompson led North in rebound 50s (six) and was equal second for inside 50s (seven).

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Drummond was understandably tight-lipped about who the Roos will send to Hawkins on Friday night when he spoke to AFL.com.au.

But he was confident that in Thompson, Grima and Michael Firrito the Roos had three suitable candidates for the big job.

"I think having Nathan Grima back has been really important for us. It just gives us that flexibility to be able to chop and change if need be," Drummond said.

"Obviously, it's been well documented that 'Spud' Firrito has been really important for us this year, which gives us three players down there who are capable of playing on the opposition keys.

"Last week all three of them spent time on Daniher, (Tom) Bellchambers and (Patrick) Ryder, so this week I'm assuming it will be no different.

"We'll have a good chat about that at match committee, I'm sure."

But Drummond stressed North would not fall into the trap of focusing too much on Hawkins on Friday night.

"We can talk about Tom Hawkins until the cows come home, but if we put all of our focus into him, guys like (Steven) Motlop and (Mitch) Duncan will get off the leash," Drummond said.

"We'll have to defend Hawkins really well, but our ability to defend as a team and really stifle their ball movement will be equally important.

"Because it doesn't matter if you've got four guys playing on Hawkins, if the ball is coming in unpressured and they're able to run and carry like we've allowed them to do at times this year.