North Melbourne up-and-comer Jaidyn Stephenson has issued a public apology for "ill-informed" social media comments about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stephenson answered a series of non-football related questions from fans via Instagram story videos on Wednesday night.
Twitter user '@tobiechapman' posted the controversial video on the social media last night.
The Kangaroos midfielder was asked by one of his followers: "What are our thoughts about COVID vaccinations? Do [you] trust them?"
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"OK, pretty topical, I don't think some will like this answer, but I think the media overplays it a lot", Stephenson answered on his Instagram account.
"If there's no media then I don't think COVID is such a big thing. It's just my opinion".
But after receiving backlash on social media, Stephenson retracted his comments.
"I apologise for my comments regarding the COVID situation", Stephenson wrote on Instagram. "I understand they were ill informed and that there are people going through hardship because of this pandemic.
"I'm sincerely sorry for any angst I've caused with my comments and endeavour to further educate myself on this topic".
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The 2018 Rising Star's comments could not have been timed any worse, with Stephenson and his Kangaroos teammates forced to flee Victoria this morning on a flight bound for Queensland.
At the time of writing, the venue of North Melbourne's' Round 18 clash with bitter rivals Essendon is yet to be confirmed.
Stephenson is averaging a career-high 19.8 disposals per-game -- including a superb 38-disposal effort in North's stunning 10-point win over West Coast on Monday night -- since moving to Arden Street from Collingwood during last year's trade period.