DANIEL Wells is expected to play up to three quarters in his VFL comeback this weekend, with North Melbourne to monitor his recovery before rushing him into the senior side.
Wells, who hasn't played since round five due to an on-going foot complaint, will line-up for North Ballarat against Geelong on Sunday.
Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said the club could have brought the star midfielder straight into the senior side for its clash with Greater Western Sydney, but has taken the more cautious approach.
"We want 'Wellsy' back playing at his best and while his training form has been outstanding, the problem is the match simulation stuff at training goes for about 20 minutes," Scott said on Friday.
"So we're not confident that we're going to get that for 120 minutes. A game in the VFL is the prudent thing to do, as much as it is tempting to bring him straight back."
Scott is hopeful the 29-year-old will only need one game at VFL level, but how Wells recovers from the outing will likely decide if he is chosen to make his AFL return against the Western Bulldogs in round 21.
"It's no secret we're pretty keen to get him back in the side, but you've got to bring him back somewhere near his best, not just because your team on paper looks better," Scott said.
At the other end of the spectrum is North youngster Kayne Turner, who will make his debut for the club against the Giants.
The Roos picked Turner in last year's NAB AFL Rookie Draft expecting him to take longer to develop, with the Western Bulldogs also interested in recruiting the fearless midfielder.
But the competition's youngest player, who is still completing his year 12 schooling, will line-up on Saturday at StarTrack Oval in Canberra.
"We wrote him a note [to get out of school]," Scott joked. "If there's a reason to miss school I think this is a pretty good one, but he's earned his spot.
"His attack on the footy is second-to-none."
Turner will join first-year player Luke McDonald in the Roos' side, and as the AFL continues to look into changing the father-son and academy draft bidding system, Scott said it should fall under the League's equalisation philosophies.
Under the current process, North paid the highest ever price for a father-son to secure McDonald (pick No.8), but he has delivered in his first season, playing all bar one game and becoming an important part of the club's defence and midfield group.
But under possible changes the League may assign a certain value to each draft selection to ensure clubs pay fairer market value for each father-son and academy player.
"We're in the midst of an equalisation debate and so any inequities in fixture, recruiting, father-son, academy-type set-ups I think's a good discussion to have," Scott said.
"The academies in the non-traditional football markets are critical to the game. But all anyone's saying is it's got to be fair and equitable, and if you're going to get a good player, pay fair value.
"If we can grow the talent pool via academies but have the clubs who benefit paying fair value, that's a great result."
