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North Melbourne defender Majak Daw is in line to play senior football for the first time in 18 months during the AFL pre-season series.

North Melbourne coach Rhyce Shaw is hopeful Majak Daw can return to senior football during the AFL pre-season series, but skipper Jack Ziebell won't be risked.

The 28-year-old midfielder, entering his fourth year as captain, is nursing a calf injury and remains in some doubt for the round-one meeting on March 22 with St Kilda.

Daw, who had been hospitalised after a fall more than a year ago from the Bolte Bridge, is yet to return at AFL level.

The strapping defender overcame serious hip and pelvic injuries to play four VFL games last July, but hurt a hamstring and missed the rest of the season.

Daw has been a strong performer during summer training sessions and is in the mix for pre-season selection.

"Maj is in really good nick and looking really well," Shaw said.

"I'm hoping that he can play a part in the Marsh (Community Series)."

Ziebell was confirmed on Thursday night as head of an eight-man Kangaroos leadership group which includes four new faces in 2020.

Ben Cunnington, Trent Dumont, Jasper Pittard and Jy Simpkin have been voted in alongside Jamie Macmillan, with Ziebell to be supported by vice-captains Shaun Higgins and Robbie Tarrant.

Shaw said Ziebell's calf issue had been an ongoing concern over summer but backed his skipper to fire when the real action began.

"We won't take any risks with Jack - he's too important to us," Shaw said.

"He's got a bit of a calf issue and we've been managing it, but he's at that stage in his career where you just don't want to take any risks, especially at this time of year.

"We're really confident that he'll play a part early in the season."

Shaw gave his blessing to North Melbourne players featuring on February 28 in the AFL's bushfire relief representative match.

The former Sydney and Collingwood defender also left no doubts about what was expected of his players in his first full season in charge of the Kangaroos since taking over last May from Brad Scott.

"I've got great belief in the playing group," Shaw said.

"I see a really strong group of young men that I think can really push a lot of teams and, ultimately, play finals footy.

"I'm really looking forward to that this year."

Kangaroos women's coach Scott Gowans was even more bullish ahead of his team's AFLW season opener on Saturday against Melbourne at Casey Fields.

"We're ready to go and we're prepared to win and that's been the club culture," Gowans said.

"Everything we've done is eat, sleep and breathe winning a premiership.

"We're not scared to admit that that's what we're in the competition for, so we're really looking forward to getting away this week."