Bomber Conor McKenna's rental open-house under COVID-19 tracing investigation

The Essendon AFL player Conor McKenna is unlikely to face a ban as the AFL investigates if there was a COVID-19 breach for visiting an open-house inspection.

The Sunday Herald Sun’s reported he visited five rental open for inspections ahead of his positive test.

The AFL is yet to rule whether it was a breach.

He was the first AFL player to test positive to COVID-19 which saw the Essendon-Melbourne game being postponed.

Protocols sent to players in a COVID-19 dossier this year stated players could “move house”.

It is understood that provision related to buying and selling houses rather than viewing rental properties.

The lease on the city apartment McKenna and his brother rents is close to expiring.

It is understood McKenna should also have contacted Essendon’s compliance officer Laura Lawry to check for permission.

Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell confirmed the Sunday Herald Sun’s report about visiting an open for inspection, saying it was up to the AFL to rule whether it was a breach.

“Whether an open house is deemed to be a breach of the protocols we are still working through,” Campbell said.

McKenna also visited the host family that put him up when he moved to Melbourne from Ireland.

He was tested Wednesday when negative and there and his test on Friday came up as an irregularity given a low level, and it was a positive test on Saturday.

The footballer has gone home to Ireland with the club's approval, due to acute homesickness in February.  

He flew back to Melbourne on March 5.

He was overlooked for Essendon's Round 1 clash with Fremantle, with the AFL postponing the season the following day due to the coronavirus pandemic.

McKenna flew back home to be with his family in Ireland during the AFL's shutdown.

He arrived back in Melbourne from Ireland and went into a two-week quarantine period.

He was not selected to play against the Sydney Swans after returning for training in early June.

Footage captured by Channel 7 cameras showed McKenna blowing his nose and spitting at training on Friday.