AFL 2020: jamie MacMillan leaving North Melbourne hub for birth of his baby

North Melbourne defender Jamie Macmillan has opted out of the club‘s Queensland hub to be with his pregnant wife and is unlikely to return.

North Melbourne defender Jamie Macmillan has opted out of the club‘s Queensland hub to be with his pregnant wife and is unlikely to return.

The 28-year-old will head home next week with his wife Olivia due to give birth to the pair‘s first child some time after round 12.

It comes a week after St Kilda’s Nathan Brown also left his team’s Queensland base to be with his family.

McMillan could also miss the remainder of the s

“We found out in December, and like most footballers, we looked up the fixture to see where it lands, and at the time it fell in the pre-finals bye which was perfect,“ Macmillan said.

“So, it looks like after the Melbourne game [I‘ll leave]. That’s the plan for now.”

Given McMillan would have to spend two weeks in quarantine if he was return to the hub, it’s likely the 165-game player will stay in Melbourne.

“Everyone says it’s one of the best moments of your life, and I don’t want to miss that.”

Jamie Macmillan has likely entered his last week in the AFL hub, as he prepares to return home for the impending birth of his first child.

— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) August 3, 2020

McMillan said the club and in particular coach Rhyce Shaw was very supportive of the decision.

“Shawry‘s had a number of conversations with me,” Macmillan said.

“He‘s spoken about his experiences with his kids, and said that it’s not something you want to miss.

“He and the club have been nothing but supportive in helping me navigate my way through this.

“I love playing footy and I love this footy club, and we‘re going through a trying time at the moment.

“To feel like you‘re sort of deserting the guys is a challenge.”

The AFL and clubs have shared the cost for some player‘s and staff’s family members to travel to the hubs.

Originally published as AFL 2020: jamie MacMillan leaving North Melbourne hub for birth of his baby