North Melbourne coach Brad Scott says the big selection hit Melbourne will take for Saturday's AFL clash is something the Kangaroos have dealt with all season.

The Demons' huge win over Adelaide last week has cost them defender Jack Grimes (foot) for the season, while midfielder Jack Trengove is facing suspension unless he wins an appeal on Thursday.

The loss of ruckman Mark Jamar for four to six weeks with a knee injury will hit even harder, given his good form and the fact back-up options Jake Spencer and Jack Fitzpatrick were both injured in the VFL on the weekend.

But Scott had little sympathy ahead of his side's clash with the Demons.

"If those three don't play and Tom Scully's not ready yet, then I see that as they'll start to have some injury concerns as we've had all year," he said.

"The four I mentioned from Melbourne are very good players and important to their structure.

"But Hamish McIntosh, Ryan Bastinac, Levi Greenwood, Matt Campbell are extremely important parts of our structure as well and we haven't had them for one game this year.

"So we haven't used injuries as an excuse and I know Melbourne certainly won't be either."

The Kangaroos have won the past eight encounters between the clubs and Scott - who oversaw two of those last season - said his players enjoyed the rivalry with another young, inexperienced side.

But he said the past record counted for less than recent form, with Melbourne excellent against the Crows, while the Kangaroos are 1-5 this season and performing below expectations.

"We've been able to put good patches of footy together, but it's been nowhere near good enough for the level we set for ourselves," Scott said.

The Kangaroos could be boosted by several inclusions.

Greenwood, who had a career-high 39 touches when the teams met in round 22 last year, his most recent senior game, could return from an ankle injury, although Scott said they would take a cautious approach.

"We can be seduced at times to bringing players back because they're so important to you and you can rush them back too quickly," he said.

Key forward Lachie Hansen is expected to return from a one-game absence with a back injury.

And fellow forward Aaron Edwards is pushing hard for a recall after booting 10 goals in the VFL on Saturday.

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