NORTH Melbourne's disappointing start to 2017 has been further soured by the news spearhead Jarrad Waite will miss up to six weeks with a shoulder injury.

Waite injured the AC joint in his left shoulder when he attempted a tackle in the final quarter of North's 43-point loss to West Coast at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The 34-year-old immediately reached for his shoulder, but stayed on the ground and finished the match, albeit in some discomfort.

North football manager Cameron Joyce said Waite would undergo surgery this week.

"We anticipate that he will be out for about 4-6 weeks. We're hopeful to have him available for selection sooner rather than later," Joyce said.

"While we are obviously disappointed to see Jarrad sidelined, we had a number of really strong performances from our forwards in Werribee's VFL practice match on Saturday afternoon.

"There are plenty of players ready to come in and make that position their own."

Ben Brown, who narrowly made it back from knee surgery in time for round one, will become the Roos' No.1 aerial target in Waite's absence, with Majak Daw likely to earn a recall for Sunday's game against Geelong.

With Mason Wood still sidelined by a hamstring injury, the remaining key forward options North can consider for the Cats clash are untried youngsters Ben McKay and Nick Larkey. Both are promising, but neither appears ready to debut.

Medium forward Taylor Garner, however, is in contention to return for his first senior game since round three last season.

Garner completed his second VFL practice match in a row on Sunday, giving North hope he has finally overcome the hip problems that have dogged him recently.

Garner, 2012's No.15 draft pick, has played just 16 games in four seasons at Arden St, but is extremely highly regarded for his toughness and defensive pressure.

Waite's injury continues a poor recent run for the former Blue, who played just two games after round 12 last season because of hip problems.

Waite had a horror time in front of goal against the Eagles, kicking 1.7, but otherwise gave the Roos a strong target, taking a team-high seven marks, including six inside 50 and two contested.

North coach Brad Scott told AFL.com.au last week Waite remained a key player for the Kangaroos.

"When you think back he was an All Australian at about round nine last year, he was in terrific form and only injury got in his way," Scott said.

"I've always said he's a quality player and he just needs to remain injury-free for everyone to see what he can do.

"He's a really complete player for us now too. He's just as good defensively as he is offensively."