Essendon's Conor McKenna has tested positive to COVID-19 potentially putting the whole AFL season in jeopardy, just weeks after the competition resumed.
McKenna was expected to play for the Bombers against the Demons on Sunday, after returning from Ireland some weeks ago. That game has now been postponed.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan addressed the media from the MCG.
"We are announcing today that we are postponing tomorrow's game between Essendon and Melbourne, after receiving notification today that an Essendon player has returned a postive COVID-19 test," McLachlan said.
"All players and staff have been asked to isolate. The AFL has taken the decision to postpone tomorrow's match. We said we would make all decisions based on medical advice and our priority is the health and safety of our staff, players and the community.
"He (McKenna) will be now tested until he is negative. The rest of the group is scheduled to be tested Tuesday. If there's multiple players down, it's a challenge for Essendon. We know every player was negative today, bar one. Clearly disappointing for Essendon. In the end I think this was always a possibility, but I'm pleased the testing picked it up and he was asymptomatic. We've got an ability to re-jig our fixture, I feel we are well prepared but it's disappointed for the competition."
The Bombers confirmed the news on Saturday, but said that McKenna "returned the sole positive result" from a round of testing on Friday.
"Today, the players and staff have now been advised to isolate until further notice," the Essendon statement said.
"McKenna was asymptomatic and showed no signs of having the virus."
Meanwhile in a statement released on Saturday evening, Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell said the club will work with all relevant authorities as the situation progresses.
"The AFL and Department of Health and Human Services were notified immediately per the protocols. We will continue to work with the DHHS and the Chief Health Officer's team, as well as the AFL over the coming days to seek further details," Campbell said
"We are also working with the Department to identify those who they deem to have been in close contact with Conor and isolate them.
"The priority is also to provide our full support for Conor and ensure his health and welfare during this difficult time for him.
"We will continue to provide our full support for our remaining players and staff.
"Further, the Club is now closed and will be thoroughly cleaned as per the Health Department requirements until further notice."
McKenna had returned from his home in Ireland last month and had served his mandatory 14-day quarantine period. McLachlan indicated that the Irishman may have picked up the virus at some point in the last few days having been negative since his return from overseas