Essendon speedster Adam Saad was absolutely buried by a Nathan Brown bump in the first quarter of their clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
After a positive start by the Bombers, Saad was bursting through the centre of the ground having taken a trademark running bounce.
He dished off a handpass to a teammate before the veteran Saint caught him unawares with a huge bump well after the ball had gone.
Saad's head and neck whipped violently before he hit the turf.
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The 24-year-old barely moved as play continued on around him before umpires eventually called a stop to proceedings.
Essendon players were quick to remonstrate with the St Kilda defender.
Check out the video below.
Brown was placed on report as Saad was carted off on a medicab.
The injury to Saad was the second of the night for John Worsfold's team, with veteran backman Brendon Goddard taking no further part after a nasty hyperextension of his right knee.
Brendon Goddard will take no further part in #AFLDonsSaints.
— AFL (@AFL) August 10, 2018
Update thanks to @MLC_Australia. pic.twitter.com/7oQbgYqOmk
Injury Update |
— Essendon FC (@EssendonFC) August 10, 2018
Adam Saad is okay, he just has a concussion.
Brendon Goddard hyperextended his knee, it’s stable but we won’t risk it.#AFLDonsSaints #DonTheSash
Essendon came into the match as heavy favourites but the two injuries in the same part of the ground could had them up against it for the rest of the night.
The Bombers took a 33-28 lead into the first change.
It got worse on the injury front as the match went on, with Cale Hooker and Orazio Fantasia finishing the game on the bench to leave the Dons with no substitutes.
Fortunately for them, they were still able to keep the scoreboard ticking over to run out 122-79 winners to keep their very slim finals hopes alive.
