North veteran Aaron Hall is in doubt for North Melbourne's opening round clash against Hawthorn after scans revealed the defender sustained a hamstring injury during last week's intraclub match.

Hall was sidelined during the second quarter of the Arden Street match after leaving the ground with a soft tissue complaint. Hall is expected to miss around three to four weeks, ruling him out of both pre-season matches against Melbourne and Sydney, and putting him in serious doubt for North's Round 1 outing on March 20.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 07: Aaron Hall and Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos look dejected after losing the round 21 AFL match between Richmond Tigers and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 07, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

A change of position in 2021 to the defensive half revitalised Hall's game after earlier seasons at Gold Coast where he made his name as a speedy half-forward. In a career-best season for the 31-year-old, Hall averaged 27.9 disposals and 650.5 metres gainedย per game.

Hall wasn't the only Kangaroo to be sidelined during the hitout, with teammates Luke McDonald and Tristan Xerri both sidelined in the first quarter after suffering concussions. The two will miss North's first practice match against Melbourne on Thursday, but are expected to return for the AAMI Community Series match against Sydney on March 6.

Meanwhile, veteran Ben Cunnington has no firm date on his return to the game as he recovers from undergoing chemotherapy, while Jed Anderson has reportedly been given a deadline by the club to receive his second Covid-19 vaccine ahead of the season getting underway.

North Melbourne's 2021 campaign gets underway against the Hawks on March 20 at the MCG.