North Melbourne vow that aggression at the trade talk table will give them the killer edge they need to be regular AFL finalists.

Still disappointed from his side's meek exit from top eight contention with a loss to St Kilda last weekend, North coach Brad Scott says his team needs polish added in the off-season to take the next step.

And he has promised the Kangaroos will be active in October's trade week to help achieve that aim.

"If we can add that polish we're confident that 2012 is going to be a really exciting one for us," Scott said.

"You're always looking to improve your list. We sit ninth on the ladder at the moment and it's clearly not good enough.

"We'll be looking at anything we can to improve our list.

"We're going to be really aggressive, really ruthless to ensure that we improve from 2012 and beyond.

"Now what opportunities present themselves we'll have to wait and see. But we're certainly not going to be sitting idle during that period."

While Scott reiterated ruckman Hamish McIntosh would not be trade bait, the Kangaroos will have to look at shopping around players with some currency if they hope to snag the quality Scott hopes to acquire.

McIntosh will play his first AFL match of the season against Richmond on Sunday after a year wrecked by Achilles problems.

It will give North and Scott an insight into how life might work with two recognised ruckmen - Todd Goldstein and McIntosh - and pinch-hitter Drew Petrie in the same team.

The Kangaroos are desperate to end the season with gusto - and at least match their ninth place of 2010 with a win over the Tigers at Etihad Stadium.

And they also want to send off loyal clubman Brady Rawlings with victory in his 245th and final AFL match before retirement.

"We've got our superstars in Brent Harvey and these types of players who are revered around the place, but Brady is revered because he largely reflects how we want to be seen as a footy club," Scott said.

"He's extremely capable, but extremely humble at the same time.

"The players will be desperate to get the right result for Brady on the weekend."

Midfielder Daniel Wells and defender Lachie Hansen have been sent for clean-up surgery on niggling problems and won't play against the Tigers, while Jack Ziebell and Levi Greenwood are both missing through suspension.

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