Billy Frampton has been handed a three-week ban after his tackle that saw Brody Mihocek carted off the field during Melbourne’s King’s Birthday win over Collingwood.
The incident that saw Mihocek’s scary injury started when he gathered the ball at half-forward during the second quarter.
As he turned into his former teammate Frampton, Mihocek found himself in a ducked position, where Frampton then wrestled him to the ground.
The awkward body position meant Mihocek landed on the top of his head on the turf, with the full weight of both men landing on top.
Play was immediately stopped with Mihocek clearly in considerable distress.
On Tuesday evening, the AFL’s match review officer adjudged Frampton’s tackle as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.
Brody Mihocek suffered a fracture in his neck following an awkward tackle by former teammate Billy Frampton
Frampton was clearly concerned for his former Magpies mate with Mihocek in significant distress on the field
The Demons star was eventually carted off the field and taken to hospital after the on-field medical team stabilised his neck
As of now, Collingwood are yet to decide whether they will appeal the suspension.
The Demons confirmed that scans confirmed Mihocek sustained a neck fracture due to the tackle.
There is good news though as he is already ‘up and walking’ according to the club, less than 24 hours after suffering the injury.
‘You never want to see an incident in our game, like what we saw with Brody on Monday,’ Demons boss Alan Richardson said in a statement.
‘Brody is in the very best of care and was able to undergo surgery last night, which, thankfully, went as planned.
‘Our primary focus right now is supporting Brody, his partner Polly and their family through his recovery, while ensuring his return to full health.’
A concerned hush replaced the raucous atmosphere within the stadium as fans realised the severity of the situation.
The club’s medical staff rushed to Mihocek’s side and were able to load him onto a stretcher after stabilising his neck.
‘He’s in real trouble … it’s dangerous. He’s in real strife,’ dual premiership Kangaroo David King said as Mihocek laid motionless on the field.
‘He was just in the middle of a move and was all tangled up and put in a difficult position for the tackler, Frampton.’
Melbourne confirmed on social media that ‘Checkers’ had been taken to hospital following the injury.
‘Right there with you Checkers,’ they wrote on X.
‘Brody won’t take any further part in the game and is currently heading to hospital via ambulance,’ they added at half-time.
‘The game continues to try and do as much as they can to protect players, from rules changes and those sorts of things. But sometimes in this game, accidents can happen that are pretty dangerous,’ Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy.
Speaking after the game, Dees head coach, Seven King said, ‘We are awaiting some more scans…but obviously all our thoughts and prayers are for Brody’s family, and even for Billy (Frampton) here.
‘I think it was just one of those unfortunate circumstances where Checkers slips, and all our fingers and toes are crossed for him at the moment, but hopefully it’s good news.
‘You almost feel guilty carrying on with the game when you know something like that’s happened.’
