Chris Scott knows that beating North Melbourne will not be a simple task this week, with the Kangaroos young talent starting to shine in the back half of the season.  

Since their bye, the Roos have won two games and been very competitive in others, taking the challenge right up to the likes of Carlton and Collingwood.  

Geelong is coming off a disappointing loss last week but remains well and truly in the hunt for a top-four spot.  

With every match counting in the run home, Scott said they will not be taking North Melbourne lightly this week despite their current position on the ladder.  

“They have been really competitive in games, that is for sure,” Scott said.  

“You look at the talent they have, and we accept that a lot of that talent is young talent, traditionally that means you can be a bit up and down.  

“But over time that smooths out to improvement.  

“Every team this year, especially I will highlight the teams that have had some bad games, they have also had other games where they looked like a finals contender.  

“That is the environment we find ourselves in, we try not to get too distracted by the evenness of the competition and the quality of the comp and make sure you get yourself right.  

“That is where we are at.”  

Geelong will be bolstered by the return of Tanner Bruhn, with Scott confirming in his press conference the young midfielder will be back to face the Kangaroos.  

Bruhn made a successful comeback from a scaphoid fracture in the VFL last week, collecting 35 disposals and nine clearances along with a goal early in the contest.  

Scott said that Geelong took a somewhat conservative approach with Bruhn’s return.  

“Tanner will come back,” Scott said.  

“It was good for him to get that game under his belt, he looked as sharp as anyone could in those conditions and it was worse for the earlier game than it was for the AFL.  

“The evidence that we have got and listening to him, he feels as fit as he has all year and the wrist got through really well.   

“We decided to be a bit more conservative and make sure there wasn't anything that we weren't aware of before he came back into an AFL game.  

“He ticked all those boxes, he is ready to play and play well.” 

Geelong will do battle with North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena, with the opening bounce at 1.45pm on Saturday.  

The game will be broadcast live on Fox Footy and streamed on Kayo from 1.30pm, or you can catch all the action on K Rock from 12.00pm.