STAR Hawthorn forward Jarryd Roughead says he will be cherry-ripe to face North Melbourne in Shepparton next Sunday after he was held back from the Hawks' opening NAB Challenge loss to Collingwood.

Assistant coach Brett Ratten revealed after Thursday night's 44-point defeat to the Pies that Roughead was kept out of the side due to a slight strain.

But speaking to reporters during the Hawks' community camp in Tasmania, the 193cm forward eased any concerns about his pre-season preparations.

"I could have played on Thursday, but it is only February," Roughead said.

"I'll probably play the next two, we've got North and St Kilda (March 19). I'm sick of running laps around the oval, so to finally hit some other bodies will be a good thing."

The Hawks took a youthful and inexperienced side into the Pies clash, which featured only seven of last year's Grand Final team.

But Roughead expects a near full-strength team to play the final two matches as the Hawks ramp up their preparations for a blockbuster round one meeting with arch-rivals Geelong on Easter Monday.

"That's the biggest thing the coaches have to work out because there's such a long break between games," Roughead said.

"I'd say over those couple of weeks before round one we'll try and play our round one side."

In Roughead's absence, ruckman Ben McEvoy played out of the goal square against Collingwood and booted three goals in a strong-marking cameo.

With the squeeze on between McEvoy, David Hale and Jonathon Ceglar for two ruck spots, the 200cm former Saint has been honing his forward craft and is set to spend more time in attack in 2015.

"With the versatility we have within the group you've got to add a couple more strings to your bow," Roughead said.

"For him to maybe kick 15 or 20 goals might be a goal for him this year. But if we can just have another avenue to goal it might take the heat off the other forwards in our forward line, which can only be a good thing."