North Melbourne have received a timely boost with the returns of key talls Scott Thompson and Ben Brown for Saturday’s pivotal AFL clash with Sydney in Hobart.

The eighth-placed Kangaroos need to defeat the high-flying Swans to stave off a late challenge from fast-finishing Melbourne.

Sydney regain star ruck-forward Kurt Tippett and have recalled Ben McGlynn, but lose co-captain Kieren Jack to an ankle injury, while Toby Nankervis has been dropped.