North Melbourne captain Brent Harvey says the rules for the first round of next month's AFL pre-season competition are unfair.

North play Geelong at Skilled Stadium in the round-robin NAB Cup over two 20-minute halves on February 20 before taking on the Western Bulldogs later the same day.

Geelong then face play the Bulldogs in the late match.

As North play two consecutive matches, the only changes they can make to their 26-man team from game one to game two can come from their three emergencies.

But Geelong, playing in the opening game and the third match, can make unlimited selection changes.

"You'd probably want it to be an even playing field over the whole lot," Harvey told reporters at Arden Street oval on Wednesday.

"The rules probably need to be set for the whole three teams on the day.

"We've got a lot of young guys who are going to miss out.

"(Coach) Brad (Scott) would probably want to play blokes like (Sudanese-born 195cm utility) Majak Daw.

"It's a little bit unfair if we can't give them an opportunity but Geelong ... can.

"You'd probably want it to be fair for the whole three teams."

The pre-season clash with Geelong will focus attention on both coaches as North's second-year mentor Scott takes on his twin brother Chris.

Harvey said he wasn't surprised to hear reports passionate coach Brad Scott couldn't help himself during a two-week break earlier in January and tried to watch training one day without being noticed.

"He was probably sitting up in the trees watching us," Harvey said.

"He's going to be a fantastic coach for our football club for a long time."

Harvey said the Kangaroos know they need to show significant improvement this season if they are to get back into the eight.

"It would be disappointing if we didn't play finals because we finished ninth last year," the 32-year-old midfielder said.

Harvey's enthusiasm for his 16th pre-season campaign was on show two weeks ago when the 301-game veteran had a scuffle with team-mate Daniel Pratt during training.

"It was competitive work so there was a little bit in it, but we're good mates," Harvey said.

"It did get blown up a little bit."

Harvey also stood by his comments from earlier this week that the Kangaroos would sledge St Kilda's players this season over their nude-photo scandal.

"As long as we don't cross that line ... I'll back our boys up to say what they want," Harvey said.

"St Kilda are one of the best teams at sledging in the competition so I'm sure they're going to be sitting back waiting for the boys to give them a bit of stick."

Saints coach Ross Lyon has warned rival clubs if they breach community standards with on-field insults they could face action from the AFL for vilification.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP