Daniel Wells is back from injury to add a silky edge to the North Melbourne midfield in Sunday’s AFL elimination final against West Coast.
And key defender Nathan Grima has also returned in time to help combat West Coast’s giant attack at Patersons Stadium.
Wells, who has missed the Kangaroos’ past three games with a calf strain, said he had been close to returning against Greater Western Sydney last round.
He was named in the centre on Thursday night, after saying earlier in the day if there were any lingering doubts over his fitness he would not put the team at risk by playing.
“Of course you’re always desperate to play in a final, but at the same time you have to have the courage to decide if you’re ready to go or not,” Wells said.
“I’ve played in games where you’re off a bit and there’s the possibility you can really become a liability to your team.
“But you play all year to play finals.”
Wells’ return will be particularly welcome, given West Coast boast one of the competition’s deepest midfields.
The two-pronged ruck division of Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui were both named in the 40-man All Australian squad this week, having provided armchair service all year to the likes of Daniel Kerr, Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis and Luke Shuey.
Selwood is likely to again get the tagging role on Wells in Sunday’s match at Patersons Stadium.
“It’s hard to get a kick on Selwood and he’s had a great season,” said Wells, who tied with skipper Andrew Swallow for last year’s club best and fairest award.
“You’ve got to watch him as much as he watches you because he’s so damaging with the ball.
“We think we can match it with them but the intensity has to stay really high for the whole game.”