STAR North Melbourne goalkicker Ben Brown and captain Jack Ziebell headline a list of seven Roos set for surgery.

All are expected to be fine for day one of pre-season.

Former Giant Paul Ahern, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee twice in 2016, is also expected to be fit for the first day back at training.

Ziebell will have surgery for the big toe on his left foot on Friday.

Football manager Cameron Joyce told nmfc.com.au Ziebell's break would allow him to heal his other injuries, which included a shoulder concern.

"Jack battled bravely throughout the year with a number of injuries, the most recent being his big toe which prevented him from playing in rounds 18, 21 and 23 based on specialist advice," Joyce said.

"Jack showed great courage and leadership by making it through the season under some duress and was touch-and-go for the final game but wasn't able to get up unfortunately.

"Thankfully his other injuries will heal naturally with continued treatment and some time off and don't require any surgical intervention at this stage."

Brown (elbow), ruckman Braydon Preuss (shoulder), draftee Jy Simpkin (ankle), forward Nathan Hrovat (ankle), defenders Marley Williams (back) and Sam Wright (ankle) will also have operations.

"We expect all these players to be ready for day one of the pre-season," Joyce added.



"All these procedures are relatively minor and each player will have ample recovery time, a decent break from footy and then the ability to get 100 per cent fit again for training ahead of the 2018 season."

North gave up pick No.69 in last year's NAB AFL Draft for Ahern and immediately put him on ice for 2017.

The Kangaroos were hit hard by injuries late in their campaign, with the likes of Mason Wood (calf), Ben Jacobs (lower leg), Jamie Macmillan (finger) and Majak Daw (foot) unavailable.