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North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says there could be a tipping point where he needs to throw young players in the deep end, depending on results.

Coach Alastair Clarkson is confident North Melbourne's blend of young players and experienced heads can ride through a rocky part of the AFL season but concedes there could be a tipping point that forces him to take an all-out youth approach.

After winning the first two games under Clarkson, the Kangaroos have lost their past four on the bounce, including heavy away defeats to Brisbane and Gold Coast, and face Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.

Clarkson cited four early interstate games and Nick Larkey's lingering hip issue as contributing factors but hopes to assess where the Kangaroos are at in an upcoming run of matches.

He has depended on several senior players, including over-30s Todd Goldstein (34), Jack Ziebell (32), Aaron Hall (32), Ben Cunnington (31) and Liam Shiels (31) to take pressure off talented youngsters like Harry Sheezel and Charlie Comben, but that could change.

"We've got a patch of games here now where we'd like to really significantly judge ourselves on where we're at and what we're doing and the progress we're making," Clarkson said.

"Some of that won't necessarily be in wins and losses, some of it will just be our debutants like George (Wardlaw) and some of these younger players coming in.

"Up until this point we've given some of the older players an opportunity, but there'll be a tipping point in our season where if our season doesn't go so well.

"We just don't want to put too many young blokes into the side all at once, we just need some older guys in there to steer the ship and guide them.

"But by and large, if our performances don't warrant us being competitive enough, then we're better off just going with the younger kids and just copping whatever comes our way.

"But we're trying to find the balance between some experience with the older guys just showing the way."

Clarkson is confident things are on the right track at Arden Street.

"We know we've got a clear vision on where we want to take the footy club and what we need to do and it's just going to take some time, you've got to get the right people involved and that takes a period of time too," he said.

"But by and large, the bulk of the people that we need for us to go forward as a footy club are here."

Clarkson indicated prized No.4 pick Wardlaw wouldn't debut against Melbourne as he builds form and fitness in the VFL after a disrupted pre-season.

The Kangaroos hope to welcome back co-captain Jy Simpkin from a broken hand.