NORTH Melbourne backman Daniel Pratt's frustrating season has now seen him out of favour at the selection table and left to find form at VFL level.

After serving a one-game suspension for striking, Pratt returned for last week's draw with Richmond but caretaker coach Darren Crocker admitted the decision to recall his deputy vice-captain had been debatable.

"Daniel's had a real stop-start year," Crocker said. "I always had a question mark over whether I was going to bring him straight back after he was suspended.

"By his own admission his form hasn't been great this year. It's nowhere near where he was at two years ago when he came third in the best and fairest."

Pratt's woes have included minor knee surgery for an injury sustained against Collingwood in round six. He didn't return to the senior side until round 11.

Though he's still the club's best rebounding defender, he was among the competition's better players in that role in 2007 and 2008.

Crocker said the three changes made to his side ahead of Saturday night's clash with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba – which also included the omission of centre half-back Nathan Grima and onballer Leigh Adams – highlighted North's need for pace at a larger venue.

Grima, who has played eight games in his debut season, was left out because of Lions forward Daniel Bradshaw's absence with a hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old was also a late omission from the side that lost to the Lions by 18 points in round 10.

"We wanted to pick a quicker running team because we think that's probably an area that, if we get it right and we win enough contested ball, we might be able to get Brisbane," Crocker said.

"We still need to try to stem the flow to Jonathan Brown, so the contested ball's still going to be pretty important around the clinches and between the arcs.

"We're going in with what we believe is the premiership model, which is two ruckmen, and we just felt that we're tall enough without having Nathan in the team."

Small forward Matt Campbell has overcome his hamstring injuries and will play his first AFL game since round 11 while defender Gavin Urquhart has recovered from a groin strain. Midfielder Ben Ross has had two impressive weeks with Werribee.

Strong-marking forward Aaron Edwards is the emergency most likely to be included if a late change is required.

Despite the taxing clash with Hawthorn in round 15 and the disappointment of the stalemate with the Tigers, Crocker said his players had responded very well at Wednesday's main session.

He added that the side was all the hungrier for being in winning positions the last four weeks.

"The boys just want to be able to come off with that thrill of winning the game and being able to sing the song, myself included," he said.