MELBOURNE’S Round 3 clash with Essendon will not take place this Sunday, after Bomber defender Conor McKenna returned a positive test for COVID-19.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan confirmed the news on Saturday afternoon, with more details to emerge in the coming days.

“Following a hook-up this afternoon with our own medical team and our infectious diseases advisor, the AFL has taken the decision to postpone tomorrow’s Essendon v Melbourne match," McLachlan said.

“We said at the outset of this crisis that we would make all decisions based on medical advice, and our priority is, and remains, the health and safety of our players, staff and the wider community.

“We need to do the right thing. The right thing for our clubs and the wider community is to postpone this match involving Essendon tomorrow.

“Other matches will proceed.”

The AFL is yet to confirm a replacement date for this game.