The No.1 draft pick has been the subject of plenty of contract speculation amid reports he will seek to leave his current home, and the Kangaroos decision to drop him will only add fuel to that fire.
But his exclusion shouldn't take away from the remarkable comeback of midfielder Ben Cunnington, who finally returns in Saturday's match after his tough battle with testicular cancer.
Ben McKay and Jackson Archer are other inclusions for North while Josh Walker and Hugh Greenwood are both dropped.
Adelaide captain Tom Doedee is back after freshening up his body, along with Riley Thilthorpe.
The cavalry returns for Geelong with guns Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Mark Blicavs and Gary Rohan all named for their trip to play Gold Coast on Saturday.
The Cats have opted to rest Mitch Duncan, Isaac Smith and Mark O'Connor, while they've also dropped Luke Dalhaus.
The Suns have named Sam Day and Sam Flanders, replacing the injured Nick Holman.
St Kilda will continue their finals push with Jarrod Lienert and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera in their side against Brisbane on Friday night.
Injured duo Josh Battle and Dan Hannebery won't play, while the Lions have rested Mitch Robinson and won't have concussed duo Marcus Adams and Callum Ah Chee.
Carlton have gone back to ruckman Marc Pittonent for their crunch encounter with Melbourne on Saturday night, also recalling Liam Stocker.
Blues' ruck Tom De Koning has been dropped, along with Will Setterfield and Paddy Dow.
Key Western Bulldogs forward Josh Bruce has been managed for his side's battle with GWS, with big man Stefan Martin recalled after a good performance in the VFL.
The Bulldogs also opted to recall the midfield class of Lachie Hunter, while Ryan Gardner replaces Alex Keath at the back for the Saturday match.
GWS have recalled Tanner Bruhn, Callum Brown and Jake Stein to replaced injured trio Toby Greene (thumb), James Peatling (concussion) and Brayden Preuss (shoulder).
Fremantle gets Sam Switkowski for the first time in seven games after he overcame his back complaint for the derby clash with West Coast on Saturday night.
Power forward Matt Taberner is out with a calf injury that is expected to sideline him until finals.
The Eagles lose the retiring Josh Kennedy, Tim Kelly to suspension, and Willie Rioli for personal reasons.
From Sunday's games, Essendon have dropped young key forward Harrison Jones for their clash with Port Adelaide, while Will Snelling misses with a hamstring.
Midfielders Dylan Shiel and Jye Caldwell are among those recalled.
Port Adelaide have rested veteran forward Robbie Gray, with forward Mitch Georgiades named.
Collingwood and Sydney are both unchanged for their crunch encounter at the SCG.
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