Melbourne defender Michael Hibberd was taken from the ground and took no further part in the match following a big bump from Gold Coast's David Swallow.
Hibberd suffered a fractured collarbone in the heavy collision late in the second quarter at Metricon Stadium.
The pair came together with the ball in dispute, leaving Hibberd clutching his left arm before being helped from the field.
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Commentators lauded the commitment of both players, who bodylined the footy despite the inevitable contact.
That wasn't the only injury concern for the visitors in the second quarter, with veteran Jordan Lewis limping off with a foot injury.
Demons veteran Jordan Lewis came off for treatment in the second quarter after this incident.#AFLSunsDees pic.twitter.com/ksDqIrsNMY
— AFL (@AFL) May 11, 2019
Lewis was able to return for the second half.
Melbourne took a two-point lead into the main break after a low-scoring first half on the Gold Coast.
Both teams were a man down though, with Sun Sean Lemmens nursing an injured ankle on the bench after this Christian Salem tackle.
Gold Coast's Sean Lemmens received treatment after a tackle from Christian Salem in the third quarter. #AFLSunsDees pic.twitter.com/s57u6mpZIv
— AFL (@AFL) May 11, 2019
In the end it was Melbourne who came away with the four competition points after a last-second behind to Tom McDonald.
The Dees had been down by a goal with 49 seconds on the clock but two quick scores got them over the line.
Coach Simon Goodwin confirmed after the match that Hibberd had fractured his collarbone and would likely have surgery in the coming days.
