First-year midfielder Ryan Bastinac has been rewarded for an excellent pre-season by winning a spot in the North Melbourne team for Sunday's AFL round-one clash against Port Adelaide.

The 18-year-old Bastinac was North's second pick in last year's national draft at No.21.

"He has been picked on form, he has come in and been exceptional in all his training and the pre-season games he's played so far," said Brad Scott ahead of his first match as Kangaroos coach.

"We're really excited for Ryan - and he is too."

Injury-cursed key-position player Robbie Tarrant is also in contention to play his first senior game for the Kangaroos, having undergone shoulder reconstructions in his first two seasons at Arden St.

Tarrant will be named in North's expanded 25-man squad later on Thursday, with the final 22 to be decided upon the following day.

"As (a new) coach you're always a little bit nervous, which is a good thing," said Scott.

"It's been a long pre-season and we think we've prepared very well.

"The players have trained for long enough and now they're pretty keen to get out there and show everyone what they can do."

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