North Melbourne defender Robbie Tarrant has injured himself in the warm-up ahead of the Roos' clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

Tarrant will now miss his first match since round two, 2015, and has been replaced by Josh Williams, who will make his North Melbourne debut.

Williams was selected with pick 36 in the 2016 National Draft, and will likely line up on the wing.

Essendon will go into the match unchanged.