Essendon speedster Conor McKenna will arrive back in Melbourne today in a complicated race to be ready for round two.
McKenna, like Essendon's other two Irishmen Cian McBride and Ross McQuillan, headed back to their homeland in March after the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
He is due back in Australia on Saturday evening but then has to enter a strict 14-day quarantine period like other overseas travellers returning to the country.
It means the dashing half-back, who finished fourth in the club's best and fairest last season, will not be able to train with the Bombers until at least May 30, despite clubs being able to gather in groups for sessions from Monday.
That short turnaround leaves the important Bomber facing an uphill battle to be ready to go for the season's restart, which will commence on June 11.
The Bombers' other Irishmen are awaiting changes in their visa statuses before they are able to return having signed with the club last year.
