Dermody has made seven changes to the starting team to play the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday for the final round robin game.
Winger Timoci Tavatavanawai has been rested, alongside quality fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Flanker Sean Withy, Oliver Haig and Mitch Dunshea have also been rested, while Jake Te Hiwi and Folau Fakatava move to the bench.
"I think it’s going to be important in the longer run," Dermody said about resting players.
"That gives us an opportunity to give guys an opportunity to get ready for the playoffs and gives our guys that are training hard and have been getting, I guess, limited minutes to be out and show us what they can do."
Young Finn Hurley gets his first start at fullback and will be supported by Jona Nareki and Connor Garden-Bachop on the outside.
Hurley has starred for Green Island and Dermody said they were excited to see where Hurley could take his game.
"We see a big future for him.
"He’s pretty fearless and what we enjoy is he plays what he sees.
"That’s the brief for him this week — to just go out and enjoy it, and play what he sees and hopefully he can open some stuff up for us."
Matt Whaanga gets his chance at centre, with Sam Gilbert at second five and Ajay Faleafaga retains the No 10 jersey.
Cam Millar was available for selection, but after getting a "bang in the teeth" before the Blues game, he wanted to look after Millar ahead of the playoffs, Dermody said.
James Arscott gets just his second start of the season at halfback and Fakatava will offer plenty of flair from the bench.
There has been a reshuffle in the loose forwards, with Nikora Broughton at No 8, Billy Harmon — named at co-captain alongside Ethan de Groot — on the openside and Max Hicks packing down at blind side.
Big Fabian Holland will partner Will Tucker at lock and the front row remains stable in de Groot — playing his 50th game — Henry Bell and Jermaine Ainsley.
Young flanker Hayden Michaels is also in line to make his debut off the bench.
"He was in a tough position behind our captain and Sean, who had been playing extremely well," Dermody said.
"He’s been awesome around the group ... and you could see in the team naming what it meant to the boys for him to get this opportunity because of what he’s done to, I guess, better the team this year."
The Highlanders had a great 39-3 win against the Fijian Drua and it was one of their best performances of the season.
It was pleasing for Dermody to see his side come out the other side after losing five games on the bounce — including a 47-12 loss to the Hurricanes — in the middle of the season.
"It was probably the Hurricanes game here where they gave us a pretty good hiding and from there we lost a few games in a row.
"Our performances and confidence in our game again leading into the next few weeks is really important.
"That’s why we want to go and give it a good crack this weekend against the Hurricanes."
The Hurricanes have been red hot this season and sit second on the table, but the Highlanders have also gained some momentum of late, winning four of their last five games.
"We acknowledge it’s going to be a big test against the Hurricanes. It’s going to be a good test to what’s coming up."
Highlanders team
to play the Hurricanes
Finn Hurley, Connor Garden-Bachop, Matt Whaanga, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Ajay Faleafaga, James Arscott, Nikora Broughton, Billy Harmon, Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Will Tucker, Jermaine Ainsley, Henry Bell, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saulua Ma’u, Tom Sanders, Hayden Michaels, Folau Fakatava and Martin Bogado.
