Tristan Xerri has departed North Melbourne’s QLD hub to undergo a shoulder reconstruction in Melbourne. 

The developing ruckman, 21, sustained the injury in Round 13 against Collingwood.

“We’ve done a lot of work with Tristan since the injury, to strengthen the shoulder and surrounding areas, and had hoped he’d be in a position to return for one or two games, but we now feel the best course of action is to send him home a little earlier for surgery,” North GM football Brady Rawlings said.

“This will allow him to be fully fit and ready for an unimpeded pre-season, and seek more opportunities to play next season.”

Xerri has played four career games, all in 2020, and recently signed a new two-year deal tying him to the Kangaroos until at least the end of 2022.