George Wardlaw left training early on Wednesday as the young midfielder limped off the ground with a hamstring injury during a Kangaroos match simulation training session.
Kangaroo fans will nervously wait to hear the severity of the injury as Wardlaw was sent for scans following training.
Wardlaw burst onto the scene and quickly showed why he was a top-five pick in 2022, as his speed, agility, tackling, and contested ball-winning abilities were on show from the beginning of his career.
He received two rising nominations across his two seasons at Arden St and looks to become a big part of North’s youthful core, along with Sheezel, McKercher, LDU, and Duursma.
The 20-year-old has only managed 26 games in two seasons for the Roos after spending plenty of time on the sidelines in both seasons with an ankle injury, another hamstring injury, and a concussion that saw him miss two matches.
North Melbourne assistant coach Leigh Adams spoke to NMFC media about how unfortunate the injury is.
"He's been in some really good form, and his body was strong and fit and healthy, but unfortunately it looks like he's going to miss a bit of footy," Adams said.
"The one thing I do know about George is that he's really resilient, and he's been through it a few times now so he will do his rehab really diligently and make sure he gets himself nice and strong and fit and ready to go but how long that is, we're not too sure."
Newly appointed vice-captain Harry Sheezel, who was selected the very pick before Wardlaw in 2022, spoke about how ready Wardlaw was for a big season in 2025.
"He's worked so hard on his body the last few years to get it right so if this is a bit of a setback it will be hard for him,” he said.
"We'll see how bad it is but I'm shattered for him and we'll wrap our arms around him.
"He was so fit and firing and ready to go and hopefully he will still be able to show that this year."
North Melbourne finished 17th on the ladder last year and will need their young core to continue to grow as they look to climb the ladder in Alastair Clarkson’s third year at the Kangaroos.
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