North Melbourne's Finn O'Sullivan will miss games against Fremantle and West Coast after sustaining a concussion at training.
Suffering the head knock on Wednesday, O'Sullivan is mandated to enter a minimum 12-day concussion protocol, and given the timing of the injury, will miss the trip to Western Australia and matches in Round 13 and 14.
The trip west is part of the club's business decision to sell home games to the Dockers and Eagles, with the first clash on Saturday placed in Bunbury at Hands Oval against the ladder leaders.
North Melbourne will remain in Western Australia before 'hosting' West Coast at Optus Stadium a week later.
O'Sullivan's injury is a huge blow to the Kangaroos' chances of claiming two scalps away from home, especially the match-up with the Eagles.
The 20-year-old has been one of the big improvers at Arden Street as the Kangaroos push for a finals berth for the first time in a decade.
He has been tasked with curbing some of the game's best players, including Essendon's Zach Merrett.
O'Sullivan may have been touted with roles on Murphy Reid, Andrew Brayshaw and Harley Reid in the weeks to come.
Tom Blamires enjoyed a stellar outing the reserves last week, collecting 29 touches and eight inside 50s.
Zac Fisher is pushing for his first AFL game this year, collecting 22 possessions and slotting three goals, while Lachy Dovaston and Robert Hansen Jnr are also viable options to step into O'Sullivan's place.
