NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott won't coach against Richmond in Hobart on Friday night.
The Kangaroos mentor was hospitalised on Thursday night with a viral illness and did not travel to Tasmania.
AFL.com.au understands Scott has been released from hospital and is now resting at home.
Assistant coach Darren Crocker will coach the side.
“Brad was not feeling well on his way to the airport yesterday and was forced to return home,” North Melbourne football director Geoff Walsh said in a statement.
“His condition worsened in the evening and he was attended to by the club doctor before being admitted to hospital for treatment and observation.”
The club said Scott, 40, stayed in hospital overnight and was not able to travel to Hobart on Friday morning.
Crocker stood in for Scott last season, after the coach underwent surgery to address a chronic back problem.
This will be the third time Crocker, 49, has acted as the Kangaroos' caretaker coach.
He first filled in back in 2009 after Dean Laidley was sacked.
Crocker has coached the Kangaroos to five wins, eight losses and one draw in his 14 games in charge.
Friday night's game is a marquee occasion for the club and its relationship with Tasmania.
President James Brayshaw and AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan are in Hobart for an announcement with Tasmanian premier Will Hodgman on Friday afternoon ahead of the game.
It's the first time Blundstone Arena has hosted a Friday night game.
The Kangaroos face a Tigers outfit coming off three straight wins, while looking to bounce back from their own first loss of the season last week.
