Tough North Melbourne defender Daniel Pratt will play his first game of the AFL season against Richmond at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The 28-year-old, 111-game veteran finished last season in the senior team, but has spent the opening rounds of this year in the VFL.

But after some solid form with North Ballarat, he has replaced marking forward Aaron Edwards, who was dropped despite snaring two goals in last round's loss to Fremantle in Perth.

The Tigers have made three changes, regaining key defenders Luke McGuane and Alex Rance from suspension.

Veteran backman Will Thursfield and young tall defender David Astbury were dropped to make way for their return.

Small forward Ben Nason was the other inclusion, selected for his first game of the AFL season at the expense of first-year player Brad Helbig.

Nason kicked 14 goals in his debut season last year, behind only Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt (78) and Andrew Collins (15), who has since been traded to Carlton, on the Tigers' tally.

Both sides are chasing their first win of the season.

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