North Ballarat has basically assembled the combination with which it will attempt to capture a third consecutive VFL premiership.

North Melbourne's Leigh Harding is the only likely major inclusion in the weeks ahead.

Apart from that, the only changes open to head coach Gerard FitzGerald will be able to do is some cosmetic moves with younger players from the Selkirk Roosters' VFL list.

With this in mind, North Ballarat must immediately get back to its best against the Richmond-aligned Coburg Tigers at Eureka Stadium Ballarat tomorrow.

There can be no hangover from the shock loss to Werribee of a week ago.

Ruckman Orren Stephenson and key forward Josh Smith are the key returns for the Roosters.

Stephenson adds so much to the balance of the line-up.

He is always of great assistance to defence - becoming an extra tall beside Shaune Moloney, Matt Sharkey and Luke Delaney.

Stephenson will also allow North Melbourne-listed David Hale to spend more time in the goal mouth, where his height makes him one of the most potent forwards in the VFL.

With Smith back at centre half forward to relieve the pressure off leading goalkicker Corey Jones, the Roosters' attack suddenly looks a major threat again.

North Ballarat will eager to lift its game, with all players who were deck at Werribee wanting to make a new start.

Myles Sewell, Steve Clifton, Cam Richardson and Dan Feery can be expected to be at their menacing best, which should rub off on the likes of Nick Peters and Stevie Dinnell, who will have the added support of the pacy Gavin

Urquhart.

FitzGerald played down the number of changes, given places had to be found for the automatic selections of Marcus White, Stephenson, Smith and Urquhart.