WAYNE Carey says North Melbourne players called up to face Richmond could physically target their Tigers opponents in round 23, ahead of a likely elimination final rematch the following week.

The Roos have indicated they are likely to rest up to 10 players from this Friday night's clash to give themselves the best chance of entering finals in top shape.

While a loss would ensure North plays an elimination final against Richmond in Melbourne, coach Brad Scott has stressed that his side will be playing to win against the Tigers.

However, North Melbourne great Carey also raised the possibility that the Roos' replacement players could seek to give their side an advantage for an elimination final rematch by roughing up their opponents.

"The Kangaroos now can put in 8-10 players that are not going to play finals footy. They can go out and maim Richmond players," Carey said on AFL.com.au's Pick A Winner.

"They can go hard, they can be told by Brad Scott 'Go out there, hit this side as hard as you can, because it looks like we'll be playing them again next week'.

"I think the AFL really opened up a can of worms here and watch this space."

Rest will have Roos primed for finals, says Scott

Carey said the Roos resting players was "a completely different situation" to minor premiers Fremantle sparing up to 11 regular players a final round trip to face Port Adelaide, because the Dockers-Power clash won't affect finals positions.

"Whereas I think this does manipulate where the Kangaroos and obviously the Tigers and Adelaide (finish), so it does have some bearing on the finals," Carey said.

"This rule has to change, because now the one game that had something riding on it all of a sudden has been manipulated by resting players."