Midfielder Jy Simpkin is available for selection after overcoming a quad issue
Co-captain Jy Simpkin will be available for Round 13’s trip to Perth, having overcome a quad complaint.
The midfielder hasn’t featured since the Round 8 loss to St Kilda but is right to go for Saturday’s clash against West Coast at Optus Stadium.
“Jy has now fully recovered from that quad strain and has ticked off his return to play markers throughout the past week,” North Melbourne head of performance Kevin White told NMFC Media.
“He is taking part in unrestricted, full-group trainings and will be available to play this week.”
Miller Bergman is nearing a comeback after picking up a moderate hamstring strain against Essendon in Round 10.
The backman has “been making great progress” says White, but remains a week away from returning.
“He will look to tick off hamstring strength markers and complete a high-intensity footy session on Saturday in preparation for a return to group training next week,” White said.
Defender Griffin Logue is also edging towards his first appearance for the club since going down with an ACL injury in Round 17, 2023.
“Griffin completed an extensive battery of assessments in Sydney on Monday which have come back with strong indicators that enable a return to play in the coming weeks,” White said.
“He’ll look to use the next two weeks as a preparation-to-play block through unrestricted group training, plus weekend game-loading footy conditioning sessions.
“All going to plan we envisage a return via the VFL in two weeks.”
Veteran Hugh Greenwood is available for selection having worked through Achilles inflammation, but young gun Colby McKercher remains on the sidelines due to bone stress.
“Colby has had an extended off-load period to ensure healing of that metatarsal bone stress,” White said.
“He completed his first AlterG [treadmill] run on Tuesday pain-free, with the next steps this week being a move to running sessions on ground.
“If he completes that this week without awareness in that spot, then we will have a clear return to play timeline mapped out from next week, where we can progress his on-field training towards a return to play.”