The Magpies and the Kangaroos go head‑to‑head at the MCG on Saturday at 7.40pm.
Five players are absent from Collingwood’s team.
One player is still on the mend after a road collision left him unconscious in training.
North Melbourne’s reserve team defeated North’s youngsters last week by 43 points.
That win has given the seniors added belief.
The two sides want a positive kickoff to the second half of the campaign.