Umpire Alex Whetton had to be replaced after suffering a suspected concussion during Fremantle's clash with Essendon at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
The official was accidentally collected by Docker Lachlan Schultz just before half-time in the match.
Whetton was left dazed on his back in the middle of the ground, while nearby players came to check on his welfare.
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Check out the video below.
Umpire Alex Whetton has gone off the field after this collision with Lachlan Schultz.#AFLFreoDons pic.twitter.com/q8zPpSfGF7
— AFL (@AFL) August 17, 2019
Incredibly, Whetton managed to blow his whistle while on the way down - not a bad effort considering it took several minutes before he was helped to his feet and off the ground.
A+ effort for blowing the whistle as he was going down 👌
— Basil Zoccali (@BasilZoccali) August 17, 2019
While often the target of some flack from supporters, plenty of fans were quick to send their well wishes to the official.
The incident also gave the chance for local umpire Daniel Johanson to make his AFL debut.
Umpire Daniel Johanson making his @AFL debut replacing injured umpire Whetton during second quarter. Johanson umpired @WAFL last night in which Gabby Simmonds was the first female to umpire a league WA fixture. Big 24 hours for umpire Johanson. #AFLFreoDons
— Tim Gossage 🤓🎙📺 (@TimGossage) August 17, 2019
Whetton isn't the first man in the middle to require attention following an accidental head knock.
In 2014, Sydney's Nick Malceski collided with umpire Troy Pannell, eventually seeing him taken off on a stretcher.
