North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell will line up against St Kilda in the AFL on Sunday despite a foot injury that will need surgery in the off-season.
Ziebell missed last weekend's loss to Hawthorn with the issue but coach Brad Scott confirmed he would lead the side against the Saints at Etihad Stadium.
"We were obviously really careful with that (injury), we sought a second opinion and it was exactly the same as the first, so we're very confident that there's very little risk," Scott told reporters on Friday.
"There's always a risk in any contact sport but the surgeon's advice is that he's right to play.
"That's pain permitting but that rarely stops Jack."
North are 16th on the ladder -- ahead of only Carlton and last-placed Brisbane by percentage -- while St Kilda (11th) must win to keep their finals hopes alive.
Jarrad Waite was unable to shake off a calf injury in time to face the Saints and the Roos are hopeful rather than confident he will play in the final round.
The 34-year-old has been restricted to 10 games by injury this season and hasn't played since round 19.
But Scott gave the strongest indication yet that the veteran will play on next year.
"I think his form this year, when he's played, has been outstanding and I still think he's got a lot to offer," Scott said.
"But there's also a lot of water to go under the bridge. We're far from confirming who's going to be here next year and who's not.
"There's a lot of mechanisms with free agency and trades, so unfortunately for those players it's still fairly fluid, but we know what Jarrad's capable of at his best and I still think he's got something left in him."
However, Majak Daw's season is over after he had a minor procedure on his injured left foot this week.
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