BEN BROWN will make his debut for North Melbourne against Melbourne on Sunday after key forward Robbie Tarrant withdrew from the team.

 

Tarrant, who played his first senior game of the year last week, pulled up sore from training on Saturday.

 

A mature-aged ruckman, Brown was recruited to the Kangaroos after playing for the club's VFL affiliate Werribee in 2013. He kicked 29 goals in 18 games and North Melbourne used pick No.47 to select him in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.

 

The Tasmanian, 21, represented his state in the 2010 and 2011 NAB AFL Under-18 National Championships but a ruptured ACL and groin problems stifled his progress.

 

With five younger brothers and having represented Devonport, the Tassie Mariners, Glenorchy and Werribee, he has done it the hard way.

 

Noted for his athleticism, and afro, Brown had a delayed start to 2014 with a knee injury but has performed well in the past month.