Hawthorn vs North Melbourne looms as an intriguing clash this weekend, as Alastair Clarkson comes up against former side Hawthorn.

Clarkson led Hawthorn to four premierships and famously a three-peat from 2013-2015.

North Melbourne has surprised everyone so far this year, heading into Round 3 undefeated, after finishing with the wooden spoon last year.

They have the opportunity this weekend to be sitting at 3-0, meaning they will have already won more games than they did last year.

Clarkson told reporters on Thursday , "we're looking forward to playing on a great deck in front of a really passionate fanbase."

"We're hoping, just like Hawthorn, that we can put on a good show."

North will have to replace co-captain Jy Simpkin after he was handed a one-match ban for striking Caleb Serong, with several options in consideration.

"Will (Phillips) will be right in the mix," Clarkson said.

"(Flynn) Perez and (Darcy) Tucker too, there's a few things we need to figure out around the sub as well."

Clarkson was succeeded by his former player and Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell at the end of 2021 and it will be the first time the two have clashed against each other in the coaches box after Clarkson accepted the coaching role at North.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 24: Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell of the Hawks celebrate in the rooms after winning the round 14 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 24, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

"I treat it like any other game, this time potentially with a little bit more idea of the mind of the coach," Mitchell said at his Thursday presser.

"I think they're really organised and you'd expect that under Clarko. He's doing a good job in doing that."

There will be at least three changes for the Hawks this weekend, with Chad Wingard expected to play after missing last week due to a calf injury.

"We expect he'll come back in, he's just got to get through training today," Mitchell said.

Jack Scrimshaw will also play this weekend, as will Harry Morrison.

"Scrim has been a bit limited, he had a sore quad, and then was in hospital last week, so he's faced some limited minutes," Mitchell said.

"He's in our best side and he's a good player for us, and we're keen to get him back in."

North Melbourne will take on Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium on Saturday at 1:45pm (AEDT).