NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott will not pick "battered" captain Jack Ziebell for Saturday's clash with finals aspirant Essendon for his own well-being.

The first-year skipper is battling multiple injuries and has for some time. Scott told the combative midfielder on Tuesday he was going to be "managed" after flirting with the idea a couple of weeks earlier. 

Oft-injured spearhead Jarrad Waite is almost certain to return from a calf injury, as is on-baller Trent Dumont, fresh from 35 disposals and nine tackles in the VFL after being demoted for "reactive" play.

Under-siege ruckman Todd Goldstein looks set to escape the axe, with emerging big man Braydon Preuss still struggling to overcome a back complaint.

"We just need to leave Jack Ziebell out this week. He needs to be protected from himself," Scott told reporters.

"He's just battered and we'll manage him this week, much to his disgust, but as I said to Jack, if he was on crutches he'd still want to go out there and lead the team.

"I haven't seen anyone in my time in footy do what he's been able to do so far this year, in terms of carrying things that would keep lesser players out. And it's not just one thing – it's a multitude of things."

Scott hinted the Roos could unveil a ninth debutant for the season, with first-year draftees Josh Williams and Nick Larkey or third-year rookie Will Fordham the most likely options. Ryan Clarke is also in the mix to return.

North will make a minimum of three changes, with defenders Mitch Hibberd (shoulder) and Corey Wagner (ankle) out for the season and up to a month, respectively. 

Goldstein's future – both short and long term – has dominated the headlines at Arden St this season, since Preuss rose to prominence in the early rounds.

Scott has steadfastly supported the 2015 All Australian, but a season-worst six disposals and 22 hit-outs last week against Port Adelaide tested the coach's patience. He declined to speculate whether Goldstein would be in the VFL if Preuss was fit.

"Clearly, we're hamstrung with Preuss. We'd like to get Braydon in, but it's enormously frustrating to us, and obviously to him as well, that he's not fit and available," Scott said.

"Goldy sets really high standards for himself and we set really high standards for him, and if he's not going to get up to the level, then I've got to work out a way to get him back to his All Australian form.

"Clearly, he's not comfortable with the way he's playing at the moment, and neither are we." 

The fascination about North's list management extends to veteran defenders Lachie Hansen and Scott Thompson, and even 34-year-old Waite. All three are out of contract at season's end with younger options in the ranks.

But Scott ruled out the possibility of that distraction, as well as mounting injuries, resulting in the Roos' season petering out. They have already lost six-straight matches to slump to second-last.

"There's a hell of a lot we can get out of (the season)," he said. 

"I think we have played the equal-first number of debutants so far this year, so we get to look at different players. Daniel Nielson will play again this week and was really impressive in his first two games.

"We're really looking to get a lot out of the second half of the season, in terms of the standards we set. Whether that means winning, losing or drawing – it's the way we go about it that's going to be the most important thing.

"It's been a challenging year for us, but we need to build and continue to build that platform for the future."