North Melbourne has been forced to put a line through several more players in 2020, with time running out on their ability to get enough conditioning completed to play this year.

After a break-out year in defence, Kyron Hayden was rested after his eighth career game with knee soreness, and now won’t return.

“Kyron copped a few bumps and knocks and we were keen to give his young body a break after Round 9 with his knee in particular, slightly swollen and sore,” North GM football Brady Rawlings said. 

“While we were hoping to see him again this year, he hasn’t recovered as quickly as we would have liked and the time he’s spent on the sidelines unable to train or do any conditioning, means he won’t make it back before Round 18 unfortunately.” 

Rawlings said other players who won’t make returns include Dom Tyson (calf issues), Charlie Comben (back), Ben Jacobs (head/neck) and Will Walker (hamstring). They join Ben Cunnington (quad), Jamie Macmillan (personal), Tarryn Thomas (ankle) and Kayne Turner (ankle) who have already been ruled out. 

Calls on Taylor Garner (hamstring) and Jack Ziebell (hamstring) will be made in the coming weeks but the club is hopeful both will be passed fit to resume soon. 

Meanwhile youngsters Jack Mahony and Tristan Xerri will need to get through training this week after both copped heavy knocks to their respective shoulders.