Brisbane star Hugh McCluggage suffered a scary concussion during the Lions’ shock loss to Hawthorn on Saturday.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the classy midfielder was knocked out cold following a tackle from Hawthorn captain James Sicily.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Hugh McCluggage knocked out in heavy tackle.
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McCluggage failed to move for almost a minute before staggering off the field slowly with the help of trainers.
Sicily, who was only returning from a suspension, is certain to be in trouble with the match review officer with the AFL clamping down on dangerous tackles this year.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said he hadn’t watched a replay of the tackle but felt for McCluggage being concussed.
“At the time I thought it was such a desperate act, he’s diving and just managed to get fingertips onto him so I thought it was a great tackle,” Mitchell said.
“The players are really well aware of the tackling and I think we’re seeing changes of technique, guys not trying to bring other people to ground deliberately.”
Meanwhile, Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli was cleared for his high bump on Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston.
In the second quarter of Friday night’s clash at Marvel Stadium, Bontempelli was advancing on Houston, who fumbled the ball, and collected him in the shoulder and head.
The star midfielder appeared to be attempting to pull out of the bump but still made contact and gave away a free kick.
But the MRO failed to even give an explanation of the incident in the daily report, with Bontempelli cleared to play in the Bulldogs’ next match against North Melbourne.
St Kilda face a decision on whether to appeal Dan Butler’s one-game ban for a dangerous tackle on Sydney’s Nick Blakey on Thursday night.
The forward is the latest player suspended under the crackdown.
The McCluggage blow capped off a dirty day for the Lions, who loss to the Hawks by 25 points at the MCG.
In their first outing at the home of the grand final this season, the Lions never looked comfortable against the Hawks, who have won three of their last four games.
Trailing by 17 at halftime, Hawthorn opened the game up with six goals to two in the third quarter as midfielder Jai Newcombe swung momentum in the Hawks’ favour.
The Lions booted the first goal of the final term 30 seconds in through Linc McCarthy but Hawthorn lifted again as Dylan Moore’s goal from the pocket late secured the 15.8 (98) to 11.7 (73) upset to make it four-straight victories over Brisbane.
The result raises serious questions about if the fourth-placed Lions can end their 20-year premiership drought.
Brisbane have won just once in their last 14 outings at the MCG, with their only victory at the ground coming in extraordinary fashion when they upset Melbourne in last year’s semi-final.
The Lions are unbeaten at their Gabba fortress this year, including wins against Collingwood and Melbourne, but have lost their last two matches to drop to 8-4 and further adrift of the Magpies and Port Adelaide in the top two.
Hawthorn’s key forwards were outstanding, with Mitch Lewis (four goals) and Jacob Koschitzke (three) causing havoc for Brisbane’s defence.
Eric Hipwood was the Lions’ most threatening forward, kicking four goals during a super period late in the second quarter and early in the third.
Brisbane will back up on Friday night when they host Sydney at the Gabba, while Hawthorn have the bye before travelling to play Gold Coast in round 15.