MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 01: Bayley Fritsch of the Demons kicks during a Melbourne Demons AFL training session at Gosch's Paddock on December 1, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Demons forward Bayley Fritsch will be dropped from his side's clash with St Kilda after arriving late to training.

SEN's Andy Maher confirmed the impending omission on SEN’s Bob and Andy.

“We’ve spoken to Melbourne and the story is spot on,” Maher said.

“Bayley Fritsch was late to the captain’s run and is going to be dropped this week. He didn’t break COVID rules and Melbourne is stressing that.

“How does that happen in the hub? They’re in Maroochydore, he’s not on the bus so you’d think he’d be noticed.

“That is a tough, tough line to take. Bayley Fritsch is out of the Melbourne game due to tardiness and won’t play (on Saturday).”

Fritsch has played every game so far this season and booted 17 goals, the most of any Demon.

Melbourne go head-to-head with St Kilda at TIO Traeger Park on Saturday night at 7.40pm AEST.