North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has savaged the AFL's new interchange rules, predicting they will go after this season.

Lindsay Thomas starred with six goals as North produced a nine-goal last term to down the Western Bulldogs 18.10 (118) to 16.9 (105) in a practice match in Ballarat on Saturday.

Bulldogs star Adam Cooney kicked four goals in his first AFL game of the year.

While Scott loved his team's performance, he said a series of injuries, including a bad hamstring tear to forward Matt Campbell, had shown up deficiencies in the new rules.

"What today highlighted is just the disaster that is the substitution rule," he said.

"I'm staggered that we spend our time in the coaches' box now managing and mitigating fatigue and injury.

"All coaches have voiced their opposition to this rule, yet it's in play."

While clubs are allowed extra bench players during the pre-season, the 'Roos had intended to limit themselves to three interchange players and one substitute on Sunday, to rehearse the new system.

That changed when they lost Campbell just before halftime, then Sam Wright (head), Aaron Edwards (thigh) and Brady Rawlings (hamstring tightness) to minor injuries in the second half.

Having already used a substitute, Scott said similar injuries in the home and away season would have meant fielding a hurt player.

He predicted the AFL would be pressured into allowing three substitutes next year.

Due to their injuries, and self-imposed restrictions, the Kangaroos used about half the number of interchanges as the Dogs.

They still finished much stronger, which Scott credited to the mental toughness built at a tough pre-season training camp in Utah late last year.

Big forward Drew Petrie (four goals) impressed alongside Thomas, but will be missing through suspension against West Coast in round one, along with numerous injured players, including Campbell.

The Bulldogs' big positive was Cooney's form and fitness, in his first AFL game since last August, after hamstring and knee injuries.

But coach Rodney Eade was very concerned by conceding nine goals in the last quarter.

"Gee, it was poor, wasn't it?" he said.

"I thought our defenders were poor all day."

Daniel Giansiracusa and Lindsay Gilbee copped minor injuries, but should play against Essendon in round one.

Star defender Brian Lake, who has not played in the pre-season, after hip, shoulder and knee surgery, might play next weekend with VFL club Williamstown in a bid to make round one.

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