Swallow is the Kangaroos reigning best and fairest, while the experienced Firrito is expected to spend the bulk of his time in defence this season after being played through the midfield for a significant

part of last year.

Swallow is coming back from groin trouble, while Firrito has been sidelined with an ankle problem.

Each missed North Melbourne's intra-club practice match at Ballarat's Eureka Stadium nine days ago.

That workout was a feature of the Kangaroos' AFL community camp and attracted an estimated 2500-plus fans.

Today's match at noon will be a much lower-profile affair.

North Melbourne was originally to have played this game at Arden Street, but made the switch after being so impressed with the surface and their preference for a bigger playing area than their home

training base.

The Kangaroos, who have long-term plans to widen the Arden Street ground, said the open spaces of Eureka Stadium better suited what they were trying to achieve at this stage of their preparation.

This is their second and final practice match before tackling Geelong in the opening round of the AFL pre-season competition, the NAB Cup, at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, February 21.

North Melbourne also expects to get back Liam Anthony (finger), Leigh Adams (knee) and Josh Smith (groin) for today's match, which will comprise four quarters of 15 to 20 minutes.

Smith will be in familiar surrounds at Eureka Stadium, having played the bulk of his two seasons on the Kangaroos list with North Ballarat in the VFL.

He has played in the Selkirk Roosters premiership teams of the past two years.