As many as five North Melbourne players are reportedly training away from the main group days out from their Round 2 clash with Fremantle due to a gastro bug.
Young gun George Wardlaw is said to be joined by Callum Coleman-Jones, Cooper Harvey, Jackson Archer and Charlie Comben in being 'quarantined' from teammates, according to 9 News reporter Tom Morris.
As a precaution, all five players will train separately from Alastair Clarkson's main group two days out from when the Roos host the Dockers at Marvel Stadium.
Both Wardlaw and Coleman-Jones featured in North Melbourne's season opener last week against GWS and could be considered in some doubt for this weekend should they remain under the weather.
All of Harvey, Archer, and Comben were featured in the Roos' VFL intra-club session last Saturday to press their case for senior opportunities.
Clarkson is set to make at least one change for Round 2. A season-ending Achilles rupture in defender Josh Goater is likely to open the door for co-captain Luke McDonald to return from a hamstring strain that hampered his summer.
Fringe defender Miller Bergman could also be considered to replace Goater, while McDonald's partner in captaincy, Jy Simpkin, could also return from a concussion sustained late into the pre-season.
If deemed fit to play, Comben could be brought into the senior side as a key defender to aid the Roos' last line, which is set to face an altered Fremantle forward third.
The Dockers will be without swingman Brennan Cox after his own hamstring issue, with youngster Jye Amiss potentially partnering Josh Treacy and Luke Jackson in attack.
Teams for Round 2 will be unveiled at 6:20pm (AEDT) on Thursday.
