When Rhyce Shaw said he didn’t want to board a flight with Essendon next Sunday, he wasn’t kidding. 

The North coach reinforced his initial statement on Triple M on Saturday. 

"It wasn't a joke," Shaw said.

”I know how passionate North Melbourne supporters are. I know the history of North Melbourne and Essendon and being the coach (I) read up on a lot of history of our great club.

"They are our biggest rivals. It doesn't sit comfortably with me, having to share a plane with them (the Bombers).

"We are just going to have to do that and I don't know about the seating arrangements … but it is going to be a bit awkward, I bet you."

North will board a chartered flight with the Bombers on the way to face the Giants in Sydney for a Round 2 encounter.