Bombers cop COVID-19 blow on eve of finals clash

Essendon person been dealt a large stroke connected the eve of the AFL finals with defender Nick Hind ruled retired of the Bombers' clash against the Bulldogs connected Sunday aft visiting a COVID-19 vulnerability site.

Hind is incapable to question to Tasmania for the last aft helium was recovered to person been astatine a Tier 2 vulnerability tract successful Victoria arsenic the authorities is battling a increasing COVID-19 outbreak.

Essendon Bombers defender Nick Hind (Getty)

Hind visited a supermarket astatine the Altona Gate Shopping Centre past Saturday and was alerted connected Wednesday by the Department of Health and Human Services that the determination had since been identified arsenic a Tier 2 vulnerability site.

Hind got tested instantly and quarantined until helium received a antagonistic effect connected Friday morning. However, a information of introduction into Tasmania requires visitors not to person attended a Tier 1 oregon Tier 2 vulnerability tract successful the 14 days anterior to their arrival.

"We recognize the reasons for these protocols and respect the Tasmanian guidelines, which dainty Tier 1 and Tier 2 vulnerability sites arsenic the aforesaid risk," Essendon's wide manager of shot Josh Mahoney said successful a statement.

"This means that Nick volition beryllium incapable to participate the authorities and won't play successful our archetypal last against the Western Bulldogs.

"This is evidently an unfortunate concern for Nick to beryllium in. He concisely visited a supermarket for a takeaway luncheon and has followed the close procedures, including QR codes portion cooperating afloat with the AFL and DHHS guidelines.

"The nine has been successful changeless dialog with the Tasmanian Government passim this play and respect their wellness and information protocols, which are designed to support their section community.

"Given Nick's antagonistic trial result, the nine volition enactment with the AFL and the applicable authorities bodies connected his availability for aboriginal finals should we proceed to qualify."

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