Richmond has named five inclusions for Saturday's clash against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. 

In addition to debutant Tyler Sonsie, the Tigers will be bolstered by the return of premiership-winning trio Nick Vlastuin, Trent Cotchin and Noah Balta, as well as first-year defender Josh Gibcus.

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Sonsie earns his debut after standout form in the reserves, collecting 31 disposals, five clearances and three rebound-50s in the VFL Tigers' most recent game against Collingwood. 

Balta and Cotchin returns after recovering from hamstring and clavicle injuries respectively, while Vlastuin is back after serving a one-week suspension. Gibcus has been named in the line-up after missing last week's clash through illness. 

Senior coach Damien Hardwick said Cotchin and Vlastuin would add leadership to the Tigers' line-up. 

"They're effectively your next level of assistant coaches, and great leadership through all the lines is really, really important," Hardwick said.

"From our point of view we're just really grateful to have those guys back because they're just good players and make our side better."

The additions replace Tom Lynch (hamstring) and Ivan Soldo (hand) who suffered injuries in last weekend's loss to Gold Coast, as well as Jason Castagna, Thomson Dow, Maurice Rioli and Jake Aarts, who have all been omitted. 

Hardwick said Balta's return offered the side some flexibility in the absence of injured Lynch and Soldo. 

"We're a little bit skinny up the front end, up forward... We'd ideally like to settle Noah as a back but the fact of the matter is we've got to make what the best fit is this week, and he understand that," Hardwick said.

"The flexibility we've been afforded at various stages having him play back, mid and forward allows us to do that."

Aarts and Dow have been named as emergencies, alongside Rhyan Mansell and Samson Ryan.

The Club will confirm which of the four players comes in as the medical substitute 60 minutes before the game on Saturday.

Hardwick said it was crucial the Tigers were "up for the fight" after their disappointing loss to the Suns last weekend. 

"We know where the game will be won or lost against North Melbourne, it's in the clinches," he said.

"They're a really good contested ball side, they control through the back half and move the ball through the corridor and fast out the back. We know how they play, whether or not they play that this week under Leigh Adams, we're not too sure."

Saturday's match will be broadcast live on FOX FOOTY, with the opening bounce at 4.35pm.

Richmond team v North Melbourne, Saturday, July 16, 4.35pm AEST, Marvel Stadium
(Swipe across on mobile)

In: Nick Vlastuin, Trent Cotchin, Noah Balta, Josh Gibcus, Tyler Sonsie

Out: Tom Lynch (injured), Ivan Soldo (injured), Jason Castagna (omitted), Thomson Dow (omitted), Maurice Rioli (omitted), Jake Aarts (omitted)

New: Tyler Sonsie (Lysterfield (Vic)/Rowville Secondary College (Vic)/Eastern Ranges U18)