North Melbourne key defender Robbie Tarrant will have shoulder surgery on Thursday after injuring his AC-joint during the Kangaroos' intra-club game at Arden Street on Wednesday morning.

The news is a blow to the 29-year-old who was a star for the Kangaroos in defence last season and is part of their leadership group. The club is confident he will be available for round one.

Sent for scans: Robbie Tarrant. Credit:AAP

Tarrant had been selected to play in the AFLX competition that lost Hawthorn's Chad Wingard, Port Adelaide's Robbie Gray and Fremantle's Joel Hamling within the past 24 hours as they stuggle to overcome minor injuries.

North Melbourne football manager Cameron Joyce said Tarrant was injured in a tackle late in the game and surgery was considered necessary to give him every chance of being ready for the club's round one clash against Fremantle.