PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 22: Aaron Mullett of the Kangaroos takes a mark during the 2017 AFL round 05 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Domain Stadium on April 22, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

North Melbourne will be without speedy defender Aaron Mullett for this weekend's trip to Tasmania to host Adelaide, after fracturing a bone in his hand against the Suns on Saturday night.

Mullett injured the 4th metacarpal in his right hand during the second quarter, while attempting to spoil Gold Coast key forward Tom Lynch.

“Aaron met with a specialist this morning and will have surgery to insert a small plate in his hand later this afternoon,” North Melbourne doctor Peter Baquie told NMFC.com.au.

“After the procedure, it will simply be a matter of allowing the wound enough time to heal before he can return. We anticipate that will only be one to two weeks at the most.”

Mullett has started the season strongly for the Kangaroos, averaging a career-high 21.8 disposals a game through his five appearances so far in 2017.