North Melbourne have been hit by a Covid blow after their disappointing loss to Hawthorn with five positive tests being returned.
According to Channel 7 reporter Mitch Cleary, the Kangaroos returned from their trip to Hobart with four players and caretaker coach Leigh Adams catching Covid meaning they will enter the AFL's Health and Safety Protocols.
Small forward Paul Curtis and ruckman Callum Coleman-Jones are two of the four players who have tested positive according to a News Corp report.
The club released a statement on Monday evening confirming Adams along with a number of players would be entering protocols, but they expect Adams to be available to coach next weekend against Essendon.
"A small group of North Melbourne players and staff have tested positive to COVID-19 after the club’s trip to Tasmania over the weekend," the statement read.
"Caretaker coach Leigh Adams, and four players returned positive rapid antigen test results on Sunday after returning to Victoria.
"Adams is expected to be available to undertake coaching duties this weekend whilst players who tested positive will be assessed later in the week regarding their availability.
"All players and staff who travelled to Tasmania were asked to stay home today as a precaution. Training will resume at Arden St on Tuesday.
If Curtis, Coleman-Jones and the other two players who have tested positive were to miss the clash with Essendon it would be a blow with North already without Tristan Xerri, Jared Polec and Will Phillips for the rest of the season. While forward Nick Larkey missed the game in Hobart due to an ankle injury and is no certainty to return this weekend.
Curtis has been a shining light for North Melbourne in 2022 with the live wire forward kicking ten goals this season including seven goals in his last six games. Coleman-Jones' form has been building after a strong VFL stint with the 23-year-old averaging over 15 disposals per-game and 12 hitouts over the last fortnight.
North Melbourne were booked on a commercial flight home from Tasmania as most clubs are when travelling interstate, but this incident will raise they eyebrows of the AFL with finals on the horizon.
With the bye separating the end of the home and away season and the first week of finals, the AFL could look to help clubs source private flights interstate for finals with the possibility of Perth, Brisbane and Sydney hosting finals along with Melbourne this season.
