"We're playing the reigning premier who have got a really strong side in with [Luke] Hodge and [Josh] Gibson coming back, so that's a great opportunity for us to play a really high quality side," Scott said on North Melbourne's website yesterday.

"We're looking to work on some things we've been practising in the preseason, [and] get a really good contest and get us really well prepared for round 1.

"I'd much rather have it that way than play an under-strength side, so to [play] a really good side that is close to their full strength team is a great opportunity for us.

"We're going to have to play really well to make it a contest, so it is one we're looking forward to."

Scott, whose side got within three and 14 points of the Hawks in their two home-and-away clashes last season, said tonight's match in Launceston would be about managing his players' workload as well as ensuring they got a good hit out.

"We'll still work on some things that we want to get right structurally, but also to get some game time into a lot of guys," he said.

"It's a bit of dual approach."

The Roos have included Majak Daw, Trent Dumont, Cameron Delaney, Aaron Mullett and Taylor Garner in their 29-man squad, which will be cut to 26 before the first bounce.