Fremantle has named an unchanged team for only the second time this season as they prepare for Saturday evening’s ‘away’ clash with North Melbourne at Optus Stadium.

Dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe has again been named on the interchange bench.

Fyfe returned for the Dockers’ last start win over the Gold Coast in Queensland and wore the subs vest, injected into the game in the last quarter and had a big impact, collecting seven disposals, including three in the contest.

Asked on Thursday if Fyfe would wear the subs vest again or start in the 22, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said: “There’s a chance. We’re pretty happy with our mids. We came up against a good midfield last round. We probably didn’t get it done in the midfield as well as we would have liked, but I feel like midfield has been in good form.”

Longmuir said there was a chance to bring Fyfe into the 22 and play “lower minutes” but the veteran also provided value as a sounding board on the bench.

“It is important when games get tough and tight and have wise calm heads, especially as a sub against Gold Coast,” Longmuir said.

“Every time someone comes to the bench, they look at the back of the bench and they’ve got someone who’s really measured and calm talking to them and helping them problem solve and work through those situations. (It) was helpful, clearly.”

North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri will take on Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy for the first time as a pairing.

Jackson has been named in the ruck, with Darcy on the bench.

Darcy attended just 29 per cent of centre-bounces on his return from injury against the Suns, while Jackson was there for 92 per cent of the time, splitting his time as a ruckman and midfielder.

Josh Draper, the other player to come into the team for the Suns clash, has also retained his spot.

Captain Alex Pearce was not considered due to a stress fracture in his lower leg but will be in contention for the Dockers’ round 15 clash with Essendon at Optus Stadium, which falls only five days after the match up with the Roos.

“It’s pretty early to say likely, but he’s a chance,” Longmuir said.

“He’s progressing with his program, but he hasn’t got on the grass much yet and tested it out. So he’ll be a chance, but we won’t know til early early next week.”

Karl Worner was in doubt with hamstring soreness but has been named on the bench.

The Kangaroos made only one change to the team that overran West Coast in the last quarter of Sunday’s Bunbury clash, bringing in 196cm key defender Kallan Dawson to replace the injured Charlie Comben.