Proven VFL goal-kicker and dual North Ballarat premiership player Josh Smith has been named along with up-and-comer Nathan O’Keefe, seemingly for insurance purposes in case Hale and Edwards don’t come up in time. Daniel Pratt has been selected as a third emergency but is still struggling to break into the senior side with North’s back six in good form.

The North Melbourne match committee has opted for an unchanged line-up and has shown tremendous faith in the youthful Kangaroos’ 22 which crushed Melbourne by 26-points last week at Etihad Stadium.

Looking for a third consecutive win, North will have to be at its best to take down a rampaging Magpies outfit which currently sits second on the AFL ladder on 20-points.

North will continue to challenge its younger players and it will be a first look at the famous MCG sporting arena for the likes of Ryan Bastinac and Ben Cunnington who will be playing their seventh and third games respectively. Alongside Andrew Swallow, Leigh Adams, Liam Anthony and Jack Ziebell, they will go head-to-head with a hardened and talented opposition midfield.

Sam Wright holds his position in the side after a three goal haul against the Demons and gritty defender Levi Greenwood will no doubt be asked to shut down one of Collingwood’s influential midfielders.

Strong defender Scott Thompson could be matched up on Travis Cloke after toweling up Ricky Petterd last week and Nathan Grima, Scott McMahon, Brady Rawlings and Lachlan Hansen will have plenty on their hands as the Pies go on the attack.

B: M.Firrito 11 S.Thompson 16 B.Rawlings 3
HB: N.Grima 17 L.Hansen 6 S.Wright 19
C: J.Ziebell 7 B.Cunnington 10 R.Bastinac 28
HF: A.Edwards 27 T.Goldstein 22 B.Harvey 29
F: D.Wells 8 D.Hale 31 B.Warren 5
R: H.McIntosh 1 A.Swallow 9 L.Anthony 4
INT: L.Thomas 12 L.Adams 13 L.Greenwood 24 S.McMahon 42
EMERG: J.Smith 18 N.O'Keefe 23 D.Pratt 30