Rather than look at North Melbourne’s clash with Melbourne as a dead rubber, vice-captain Jack Ziebell wants his AFL side to approach it like a dress rehearsal for finals.

The Kangaroos are essentially guaranteed to finish sixth regardless of how they fare in the last round of the season, with Essendon their likely opponents in week one of the finals.

Ziebell, who booted four goals in North’s last-start win over Adelaide, admitted there was plenty of excitement at Arden St as the club prepares to host a final for the first time since 2007.

But the 23-year-old suggested his teammates would not be relaxing as they prepare to tackle 17th-placed Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

“That (resting players) is something the coaches will have to discuss,” Ziebell said.

“But I know as a player you don’t want to flirt with your form and it’s a pretty important week for us.

“It’s a bit of a dress rehearsal in a sense.

“We need to fix some things we did poorly on the weekend … we need to improve.”

Ziebell said it would be easy to concentrate on the out-of-form Demons instead of pondering who North will face in an elimination final.

“Our best, we know throughout this season, is good enough,” the on-baller added, when asked if his side could do some damage in finals.

“We’ve beaten some quality sides.”

Playmaker Daniel Wells will return from suspension for the Kangaroos on the weekend, while defender Lachie Hansen (hip) is in line to play after three weeks on the sidelines.

“Lachie did a bit of work on the weekend I think and felt pretty good. Hopefully he comes back,” Ziebell said.

Wells has had a suboptimal run to September, playing one game since round five due to a serious foot injury and the one-week ban.

Ziebell believed Wells would have no troubles with his match fitness or form come finals.

“Wellsy has missed a fair chunk of footy this year, but he showed in his (return) game against the Bulldogs … he played pretty well and didn’t look out of sorts,” he said.