Stewart’s plan to get out of iso

ESSENDON forward James Stewart is hopeful health authorities will grant him an early discharge from quarantine after the league’s latest COVID-19 crisis.

Stewart, 26, will be tested again today after he was identified as the only one in “close contact” of teammate Conor McKenna.

Stewart received a phone call at 9am yesterday telling him he must serve 14 days in isolation, starting from his contact with McKenna last Friday. But McKenna last night returned a negative result.

Stewart’s manager Peter Jess claimed his client had passed the incubation period and was still negative.

“He has another test [today], which we think will be negative,” Jess said.

“We’ve spoken at length to the AFL and the club and the process is to get him back next Friday, if not before. If he continues to test negative we will consider seeing if he can come back earlier than the 14 days.

“We’re not sure on what basis the health department made the call, and how they made the call, but James simply has taken the step that he needs to refocus and follow all the protocols.”

Stewart lives by himself. He is likely to be tested another four times in the next 10 days. Asked how he would spend isolation, Jess said: “I’m sure he’ll be the Scrabble champion of Essendon.”

The Bombers will seek approval from Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services to courier McKenna and Stewart training equipment while they remain housebound.

But Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell said “performance will take a backward step” for McKenna and Stewart during this challenging time. The club’s two player welfare officers, sports psychologist, mental skills coach, club doctor and Campbell will also provide support.

Campbell said the DHHS defined “close contact” as being within 1.5m of a coronavirus patient for 15 cumulative minutes or spending two hours in a confined space.

Stewart was identified as a “close contact” because he was McKenna’s wrestling partner at training on Friday.