Last night Cartledge was one of three players dropped as the Selkirk Roosters come off back-to-back losses.

Rohan McHugh and Dean Chester have also been left out.

They make way for captain Shaune Moloney (who is returning after missing one game with a bruised hip), Clinton Benjamin and Paul McMahon.

In other changes, North Ballarat Rebel Dylan Parish takes the place of under-18 teammate Oliver Tate under the 23rd player rule, and Daniel Pratt, who has felt the axe at North Melbourne, is in as a straight swap for fellow Kangaroo Matt Campbell.

North Ballarat head coach Gerard FitzGerald agreed that leaving Cartledge out was probably his biggest selection call since returning to the Roosters in 2007.

FitzGerald said Cartledge had made way for specialist marking forward Paul McMahon as the Roosters searched for the right structure in attack.

He said the former Essendon and Richmond ruckman was still adjusting to his requirements as a key forward.

North Ballarat has had a wealth of big forwards, with North Melbourne-listed trio Josh Smith, Aaron Edwards and Michael Wundke alongside Cartledge, but were unable to deliver as a combination against Box Hill Hawks and the Northern Bullants.

FitzGerald has made a clear statement at the selection table _ warning players that no one is safe.

He said winning would not necessarily be enough to save players, either.

FitzGerald said the Roosters had developed a list with depth, which was there to be used in getting the best combination on the field.

North Ballarat certainly needs to pick up its game, with Werribee regaining key defender Nathan Grima and onballer Leigh Adams from North Melbourne for the "Kangaroos derby".

Former Kangaroo Nathan Thompson is another back for the Tigers.

All inclusions are danger signs for the Roosters, which have been out of sorts and desperately need a four-quarter effort.