The 268-game, Collingwood-Fremantle AFL veteran was contracted for five games plus finals last season and was an important part of the Bombers winning their first senior flag in 16 years.

Tarrant was contracted to return under a similar deal this year and played his first game of the season in North’s round 2 defeat of Burnie.

However, plans for him to play more games and again be a part of North’s finals campaign were de-railed when he was struck down by a virus that has rendered him unable to play.

‘‘Because he has lost so much weight and hasn’t been able to train physically and he hasn’t been able to perform at the level that is required for TSL footy,’’ North Launceston coach Zane Littlejohn said.

‘‘Being a professional he did not want to come down and just play if he felt he could not perform properly.

‘‘So we came to an agreement that if he felt he wasn’t able to perform at that level then he wouldn’t be coming down and risking more injury because his body was not in the condition required.’’

Littlejohn said Tarrant’s absence was a blow but also presented an opportunity for North to prove wrong detractors who claimed that they only won last year’s flag because of him.

‘‘Some people said we were cheats and we paid for a premiership after the result last year and our playing group is extremely driven now to prove it wasn’t because of Chris Tarrant that we won it - rather we won it because of our footy club and what we are trying to create here,’’ he said.

‘‘Chris is feeling disappointed about it and has said if we play finals footy he will be down to support and offer his help in any way he can even if it is just with the coaching group, so that is really exciting.’’