WHILE North Melbourne won’t have its best defender, Scott Thompson on Saturday when it takes on Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium, it has been bolstered by the return of star midfielder, Jack Ziebell.

Ziebell is one of two ins for the Kangaroos, with veteran defender Michael Firrito back – the duo replace injured defender Nathan Grima and Will Sierakowski who has been omitted. Thompson was a late withdrawal from last week’s match.

The star midfielder missed his team’s win over Essendon last week with an ankle injury sustained against the Crows in Round 20, but returns to add zip to his team’s midfield brigade.

He has had one of his best seasons, averaging 20.3 disposals, 5.5 tackles and almost a goal a game in his 16 matches this year.

Ziebell was also one of his team’s best in the Round 5 loss to the Hawks, gathering 26 disposals in that game.

Firrito returns to replace the injured Thompson and add experience and depth to the North Melbourne defence who’ll need to nullify the influence of Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead.

North Melbourne Round 22 team
B: Lachlan Hansen, Luke Delaney, Aaron Mullett
HB: Sam Wright, Michael Firrito, Shaun Atley
C: Ryan Bastinac, Daniel Wells, Sam Gibson
HF: Jamie Macmillan, Robbie Tarrant, Brent Harvey
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Aaron Black
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell
Int: Levi Greenwood, Ben Jacobs, Brad McKenzie, Leigh Adams
Emer: Daniel Currie, Taylor Garner, Will Sierakowski

In: Michael Firrito, Jack Ziebell
Out: Nathan Grima (foot), Will Sierakowski (omitted)