NORTH Melbourne has made a tweak to its side ahead of the clash with Fremantle at Subiaco Oval this afternoon.

Veteran Shannon Grant will not play, with burly key position player Leigh Brown getting the nod to line up against his former club.

North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley stressed on Wednesday that Grant would not be dropped to the VFL, with today's decision based on the 31-year-old simply needing a rest after playing every game of the season so far.

Fremantle goes in unchanged.