NORTH Melbourne has been forced into a very late change for its semi-final against the Sydney Swans with Robbie Tarrant withdrawing due to groin soreness.

Tarrant appeared to suffer the injury in the warm-up and the Roos replaced the key defender with Luke McDonald. 

The Kangaroos also withdrew Robin Nahas for Kayne Turner, who will start the match on the ground.

The club said the change was tactical, with Turner likely to be "fresher" for the contest given he did not play in last week's win over Richmond.

The visitors named Nick Dal Santo, Jamie Macmillan and Ben Brown on their interchange bench, with Lindsay Thomas the substitute for the second week in a row.

The Swans also made a late change with Brandon Jack replaced by James Rose, who will run out for just his second AFL game in the cut-throat final.

Rose, who booted three goals on debut in round 21, starts the match on the interchange bench alongside Jeremy Laidler and Jake Lloyd with Zak Jones the substitute.

AFL.com.au understands Jack was fit to play, suggesting the late change 90 minutes before the first bounce was tactical rather than due to injury.