A PLANE carrying North Melbourne's entire playing group to Cairns for their clash with Gold Coast has been involved in a frightening aborted landing in wet and windy weather.

AFL.com.au understands the pilot had to turn the plane around just 100 metres from Cairns Airport due to low visibility.

It eventually landed safely and the players trained at Cazaly's Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Ruckman Todd Goldstein said the mid-air scare certainty shook up a few of the players.

"It was a bit exciting for a little bit there," Goldstein said.

"We were landing and then they decided to pull out because the visibility wasn't great, so I think a few of the boys got a little bit sick and upset.

'They're all big boys, they'll move on."

The Kangaroos are in tropical North Queensland for their opening round match with the Suns because of the unavailability of Metricon Stadium due to the Commonwealth Games.

Residents in the region have been told to brace for cyclonic conditions over the weekend.

Up to 35mm of rain and possible storms have been predicted for Saturday in Cairns, with the game scheduled for a 6.25pm AEST start.