ROBBIE Tarrant was hospitalised on Wednesday night after suffering a knock to his kidney in North Melbourne's 70-point loss to Richmond, but the Kangaroos' vice-captain is expected to be fit for round one.

Tarrant was injured in the opening quarter of the Roos’ JLT Community Series game at Ikon Park, but played the remainder of the game.

North football manager Cameron Joyce told AFL.com.au Tarrant had reported discomfort in the rooms after the game and had been taken to hospital as a precaution.



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"He copped a knock in the game last night to his kidney and spent the night in hospital. He suffered a low-grade bruising of his kidney," Joyce said on Thursday.

"We've got a four-day mini-break leading into this weekend so he'll spend some time with his feet up and just rest.

"It's good that we've got some time off now, two and a half weeks leading into round one, so five or six days of rest should hopefully heal that and then he can get his preparation right for round one.

"We expect at the back-end of next week to assess it again, but I think he'll be right for round one."

Joyce said Tarrant was expected to be discharged from hospital either later on Thursday or Friday morning.

The key defender had enjoyed a near seamless pre-season before Wednesday night's injury.

Joyce was not concerned Tarrant would lose any fitness ahead of the Roos' season opener against Gold Coast in Cairns on March 24, saying North had not intended playing him in a proposed VFL practice match against Williamstown.

"Robbie hasn't missed a beat in the pre-season and played both of the JLT games, so we're comfortable in terms of his preparation," Joyce said.

"He wouldn't need to play any more footy, so that's not an issue."